Thirlmere is almost 100 kilometres from the heart of Sydney, but that’s not far enough to avoid the impact of the presence of the Vice President of the Unites States of America.
The highlight of the local sub branch’s annual Anzac Day march through the town on Sunday was going to be a flypast by one of our air force’s newest acquisitions: a C27 Spartan.
Just as the post march ceremony begins in Thirlmere Memorial Park, the MC tells the large crowd that the Spartan flypast may not be on schedule at 2pm “because of security measures related to Vice President Mike Pence’’.
There’s no reaction but I am sure most people present are reflecting on the world that we live in right now.
A world where even an Anzac Day march and ceremony in a little country town 100 kilometres from the big smoke can be affected by world events.
But such is life, as Ned Kelly said, and Australians, especially ones outside the big cities, just shrug their shoulders and get on with whatever it is they’re doing.
And that’s exactly what happens here in Thirlmere and so it’s back to prayers for thanksgiving, peace, the Australian Defence Force, the nation and Queen Elizabeth, delivered by local people, young and old.
And suddenly, without any warning, a massive steel bird appears about 50 metres above us but it’s out of sight before anyone has time to catch their breath.
What everyone notices was how quiet the engines of the C27 Spartan were as it swished past the ceremony below it.
But after a few seconds of chatter it’s back to normal programming and before we know it the inevitable speech by a politician is upon us.
Local member Angus Taylor knows that Anzac Day is no time for long speeches and is therefore short and sweet and to the point: “Great to be here once again and I commend the sub branch (Picton Thirlmere Bargo) which is very influential, it can move planes and trains,’’ he says as black smoke billows from across the park at Trainworks, the train museum of Thirlmere.
“Anzac Day celebrates a century of service as well as Australian values.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We will be forever grateful to those who served their country,’’ says Mr Taylor.[/social_quote]
At the end of the speeches and prayers and tributes, the MC invites the laying of floral wreaths, before the Campbelltown Camden Band bugler is invited to play that most haunting of tunes, The Last Post.
I spot Fred Denny, the 94 year old featured in the SW Voice last week and I go over to shake the hand of a man who risked his life for his country during the Kokoda Track campaign.
Fred was one of the lucky ones: a great many never made it home.
Lest We Forget.
♦ Tomorrow, April 25, these Anzac Day activities will be on in south west Sydney:
CAMPBELLTOWN:
5:45am – Dawn service at Mawson Park
6:15am – Breakfast at Campbelltown RSL
8:40am – Parade from Queen Street to Mawson Park
9:15am – Anzac Day Service at Mawson Park
10:00am – Two Up at Campbelltown RSL
CAMDEN:
Camden R.S.L Sub Branch Anzac Day Dawn Service in Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial commencing at 5.20am.
Anzac Day main service in Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial commencing at 11am after the Anzac Day March which commences at 10.30am from Elizabeth Street.
LIVERPOOL:
5.15am March from Club Liverpool
5.30am Dawn Service at Macquarie Mall
6am 8am Breakfast at Club Liverpool
8.15am Variety Show at Club Liverpool
INGLEBURN:
Dawn Service will start 4.45am at Ingleburn RSL sub branch Memorial Garden, 70 Chester Road, Ingleburn.
