More than a thousand turn up for the Bowral Day Service

These were the words of Bowral RSL Sub Branch president John Cummins as he addressed a crowd of more than a thousand people who attended the Bowral Day Service for Anzac Day 2024.

"Anzac now belongs to the past and during the war all energy was concentrated on the future; but the influence of the Gallipoli campaign upon the national life of Australia and New Zealand had been far too deep to fade."

These were the equally profound words of Captain Mark McConnell OAM RAN in his Anzac dedication at the service.

"In no unreal sense it was on the 25^th April 1915 that the consciousness of a nationhood was born," Capt McConnell continued.

It was clear at the service at the Bowral Memorial Park that the messages were not lost on the many people who turned out to pay their respects.

They were there to, in some small way, help repay their debt to those who had fought for their freedom. They represented the future made possible through the sarifice of war. They stood in reverence for that nationhood.

The sacrifices made by many in the past were at the forefront of attention for all who attend.

The crowd lined up to clap the veterans of war as they led the parade along Bong Bong Street.

Those veterans, and family members representing passed servicemen and women, were proudly followed by many including representatives from schools across the Wingecarribee Shire as they made their way to the Bowral cenotaph.

Anzac traditions of commemoration and respect continued with prayer, laying of wreaths at the foot of the cenotaph, The Lament played on bag pipe, recital of The Ode, The Last Post, a minute of silence for remembrance and reflection, and the trumpeting sound of Revielle.

A performance of both the New Zealand and Australian National Anthem drew attention to the everlasting bond between the two countries.

Lest we forget!