I attended the Anzac Day Memorial Service in Australia on April 25th 2006, and I too have a few photographs to add to this page . Please see below. Ed.
An amazing sight to behold was the throng of the whole township of Huntly, which is a little way North of Bendigo City, Victioria State, Australia.
The Catafalque was Guarded by four Sentries supplied by the 8th / 7th Infantry Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment.
The Parade was led by the Senior Vice President of Bendigo R.S.L. Mr Peter Ball, ex 8th Battalion R.A.R. Vietnam.
I was much impressed by the Bendigo Brass Band and the children were amazing, singing the Australian Anthem "Advance Australia Fair" unaccompanied, and I was further impressed when following the laying of wreaths around the Catafalque, the children then visited each memorial plaque in the Garden of Remembrance and laid a Posy on each plaque.
Following the official laying of wreaths by the 24 official representatives, any person who wished to 'lay a wreath for the fallen' was invited to step forward and lay their wreath. I noted that a number of Ladies stepped forward and did just that at this stage....
As a Guest, I was both Honoured to take part and also Honoured in that I was treated as a V.I.P., no rank pulled for this ex RMB Corporal!.....
My sincere thanks to the Huntly Memorail Hall Committee of Management for the excellent manner in which everything was organised. The 'Tea' and 'Cakes' were delightful too....
BH Editor.
It was again the honour of the Association to lay a wreath on April 25th in commeration of ANZAC DAY.
A wreath was laid by Committee Member Geoff Stevens, who was accompanied by Standard Bearer Tony Hockenhull.
This ceremony has now been added to the Annual Events of the H.M.S. GAMBIA ASSOCIATION in memory of H.M.N.Z.S. GAMBIA and all who served in her.
