Anzac Day services returned throughout South Western Sydney today, and so did large crowds, but none were anywhere near as big as Camden.
It is quite something that 20,000 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service held at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial from 5am.
Less than 20 years ago around 300 people attended the same services in Camden to pay their respects to Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in the armed forces since Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
Now the Camden Anzac Day commemoration is the largest outside the metropolitan area and quite possibly across the nation.
Thousands also lined Argyle Street for the traditional Anzac Day parade at 10.30am, which started from Elizabeth Street and weaved its way south along Argyle Street to the Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial site off Cawdor Road.
Quite a few schools were represented in the parade, indeed there were more schools there today than there are schools in the Camden area – the Anzac Day there is that popular.
Proceedings got under way when Francesca Olson sang the hymn Abide With Me. Ms Olson returned to also sing the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia.
Three Camden High School students read Thanksgiving prayers, while another student, Samuel Lawrence, delivered the traditional Anzac Day commemoration address.
The laying of wreaths, always a big part of an Anzac Day commemoration, saw some members of the official party called up to service.
They included Camden MP Sally Quinnell, Camden Councillor Ashleigh Cagney, representing the absent mayor, Therese Fedeli. Two other Camden councillors, Eva Campbell and Cindy Cagney were also in attendance.
And one more thing: it was noted by this reporter at least that a lone wreath had been placed at the memorial before anyone was called up.
The South West Voice enquired about this and we were told by a Camden RSL representative that this wreath, pictured here at right, was laid at the memorial for local celebrity Terry Diomis, who died suddenly at the beginning of this year.
“Tezza’’, as everyone knew him, was for years the MC for the Camden Anzac Day event, something he considered a huge honour.
The wreath was a lovely touch, no doubt.
But so was the entire Anzac Day in Camden, and if you’ve never been to it make sure you attend one soon.
This is a commemoration that gets the balance right, honouring those who served without so much as a hint at glorifying war.
Indeed the emphasis was entirely on how as a nation we should always strive for peace.
Lest We Forget.
