Anzac Day 2014

[Bob McNeill]

Neville, pop 100 in central west NSW normally has its Anzac Day Service the sunday before the 25th, due to the problem of getting a band on the day, This year because Easter falls on the sunday before the service was brought forward by another week, so this year it was held on the 13th. Our little convoy of three got away from Orange at 9.oo am for the 1 1/2 hour drive in the country to arrive in the main st of Neville with just enough time to grab a cuppa, then form up behind, the Highland Band, 1st19th Army Reserve, the FOUR remaining veterans, most of the Neville Public School kids and their principle, bring up the rear, the Jeep, C15, F60L and an A model ford belonging to a local. A great little service followed and then it was up to the local Hall for lunch put on by the Neville Hall Committee. After a lot of chin waggin it was time to turn our heads for home. This time the Jeep led us out as he has a further 30 mile to travel. Great day had by ALL.

[Dianaa]

Hi Bob

You may be interested in taking a drive to Lithgow for ANZAC Day this year. AAVA has been invited to Lithgow Ironfest for the weekend and as a result we will be involved the Lithgow RSL Sub-branch's parade.

The current plans are for an M3 Stuart tank, M5 Halftrack, two FV701 Ferrets, FV601 Saladin, FV603 Saracen and a FV102 Striker in the parade and an additional two parades on Saturday for Ironfest.

[Bob McNeill]

Lithgow is out of the question, sorry. For the best part of 10 years a small group of us have been attending what we call the small villages. Starting at the Millthorpe service around 7.00 am we then travel in convoy with the Band and RSL sub branch officials to Carcour, Mandurama and Lyndhurst. In each of these towns the locals gather along with interested parties to form up and " March" to the Cenotaph then its off to the next one to do it all again. After lunch the band continues to Woodstock for their service. The old vehicles head home. The city of Orange Sub Branch made it very clear a long time ago that X military and even current 1st19th Reserve L/Rovers or their restored Carrier are not welcome in the March, so we go where they enjoy our participation. A history lesson is given at each service when the life of one local serviceman or woman is read out.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Bob McNeill

Lithgow is out of the question, sorry. For the best part of 10 years a small group of us have been attending what we call the small villages. Starting at the Millthorpe service around 7.00 am we then travel in convoy with the Band and RSL sub branch officials to Carcour, Mandurama and Lyndhurst. In each of these towns the locals gather along with interested parties to form up and " March" to the Cenotaph then its off to the next one to do it all again. After lunch the band continues to Woodstock for their service. The old vehicles head home. The city of Orange Sub Branch made it very clear a long time ago that X military and even current 1st19th Reserve L/Rovers or their restored Carrier are not welcome in the March, so we go where they enjoy our participation. A history lesson is given at each service when the life of one local serviceman or woman is read out.

Hi Bob,
Well done to your dedication, along with others, in keeping this up each year.

regards, Richard

[Dianaa]

Bob

Keep up the good works!

[lynx42]

I took the 1940 LRDP WB Chev to Paynesville yesterday to support the Anzac Appeal badge sellers.

Had a great morning and we sold $1,004.45 of badges and donations. Best result ever.

I won't mention the fact that we had 3 fuel blockages and it also boiled on a 10km run. So it's radiator out today and drain and clean the fuel tank before next Friday.

Regards Rick.

[Bob McNeill]

Like most today kicked off with the dawn service at 5.15 am, home for some brekky and coffee until the troops arrived at 6.45. we needed to be in Millthorpe for a 7.30 March. Down around the corner and its a short stroll to the Memorial Gates. This year the sub branch donated to each primary school a copy of the book LOST DIGGERS. Service over it was load up and trundle down the highway to Carcour to do it all again with a different lot of xservice people and school reps, while the band packed up their pipes and drums we bolted down the highway doing our best to slow traffic, not that it works for some, a small 4 wheel drive with a very large boat had to get past regardless of oncoming traffic and double lines. Mandurama was next stop, here the March has to cross the highway so police close the road for as long as it takes to march across. finally Lyndhurst is taken over by the hordes, well maybe 25 extras, three vehicles, the band and finally the sub branch officials, service over its time for a cuppa and cake.

[Tony Mathers]

My Working day didn't start till 9am, when I led about 500 marchers in Castlemaine, at 10.15 I led 30 marchers plus my Band at Campbell's Creek and then at 3.15pm I led 50 marchers at Harcourt. It was hard work, but very satisfying. At Campbell's Creek I had a very interesting long talk with a serving Lt. Col. who has done several overseas deployments lately.

Here is me at Campbell's Creek, note the perfect day we had.

[hrpearce]

I missed ANZAC day at Batlow because there was a problem at work that needed fixing urgently.

[lynx42]

Paynesville Parade stepped off at 8:55 for the 5 minute march to the Paynesville RSL hall. They were accompanied by Roger Ross in his Jeep, Graeme Clarke driving my 1940 Chev Staff car and my son Geoff driving the 1940 LRDP Chev.






Where was I? Well I have the honour of being the President of the Paynesville RSL Sub-Branch so I was pretty busy making sure that it all ran well.

At Paynesville more than 800 were to be seen commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the start of WWI. The start of WWI 100 years ago seems to be overshadowed by the Gallipoli Campaign so that was our focus today. After Paynesville it was off to Bairnsdale to support the Bairnsdale Parade along with Roger R.(Jeep), Alan C. (Jap Jeep,Dodge WC,and another Jeep), Len S. (F100 ambulance),Dave P. (Yankee Joe), Judy L .(in the late John's F15A) and Geoff and Graeme in my 1940 Chev Staff Car and 1940 LRDP truck. 9 vehicles in total.







Bairnsdale's Dawn Service saw more than 1000 hardy souls brave the early morning chilly temperature. Many, many more were at the 11.00am service.. We finished off with lunch at the Bairnsdale RSL.



I believe it was wet in Sydney but down south we had marvelous weather.


Regards Rick.

[Jan Thompson]

I was sent this link from the father of an 18 year old who owns a FV432 near Sydney.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ZJVSb8Ndc

[Lynn Eades]

Thanks Jan, for posting. It's not just the old guys with this affliction.
I was at the Kalgoorlie dawn parade. It looked to be a pretty good turnout, to me.

[Dinty]

I had 7 out of my 8 restored Series 2/2A Land Rovers for the carriage of veterans during the local parade here in Cessnock, the rain had belted down prior to the parade, but eased off and stayed away for the rest of the day, I don't know how to post small images in here, sorry, cheers Dennis