MANY people in Portland have missed being able to properly pay their respects to our fallen soldiers over the past two years, with Anzac Day ceremonies significantly reduced because of COVID-19.
“While we did have a very small commemoration in 2021, 2020 was the first time since it started in 1935 that we haven’t had an Anzac Day march,” said Heather Clark, a long-time Anzac Day volunteer.
So, this coming Monday, April 25 has been greatly anticipated.
Anzac Day 2022 will start with the much-loved Dawn Service at 6.35 am.
Veterans will march from the RSL rooms at 6.20am and proceed along Gawler St and Cliff St to the Memorial Triangle on Cliff St, where the service will begin.
The main march at 10.30am will take the traditional route along Percy St, Julia St, Bentinck St and then left into Cliff St.
Portland’s own RAAF World War II Distinguished Flying Cross and Croix de Guerre medal recipient Flight Lieutenant Reg Sutton is sadly no longer with us; however, Reg’s son David Sutton will be guest speaker at the main service.
And with so much preparation work needed to help make this the spectacular event it deserves to be, the RSL is appealing to the community to help wherever they can, especially with making the 400 or so wreaths needed to adorn the white crosses which represent the district’s veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Ms Clark, who has been a volunteer organiser for Anzac Day for almost 20 years and is currently chair of the Anzac Committee, welcomes anyone who can come along to help with the flowers on Sunday, April 24.
With the RSL garden patch of mostly dahlias at the Botanic Gardens now bursting with colour, and roses and chrysanthemums gratefully accepted from local Treloar Roses nursery, there should be no shortage of flowers for the wreaths, but more are always welcome, said Ms Clark.
Flowers suitable for the wreaths are yellow, orange, white, blue and red calendulas, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, statice, and zinnias, with at least 100mm long stems (not thick).
And while there are usually “about 70 or 80” people working on the wreaths, more helpers never go astray, she said.
“We are looking for volunteers to help cut the flowers at the Botanic Gardens at 8am on Sunday, and then to make up the wreaths from 8.30am onwards at the Civic Hall.
“If people have their own flowers or foliage bring those along as well, and please also bring your own secateurs and gloves.”
Dawn Compton is another regular Anzac Day volunteer, whose adept hands can whip up a magnificent wreath in about 10 minutes.
Times that by about 400 and that’s a lot of work and a lot of minutes.
As such, Ms Compton encourages anyone who wants to help but hasn’t had any experience in wreath-making to check out Suzy Bales on YouTube and familiarise themselves before coming along on Sunday.
For those wanting to sponsor a wreath for one of the Portland district veterans, these are $15 and need to be ordered and paid for before 4pm on Friday, April 22 from the Portland RSL Sub Branch, on the corner of Percy and Gawler streets.
“For those wanting to make their own, we have second-hand wreath bases out the front that we give away, or they can have one made by a florist,” said Ms Clark.
“These need to be delivered to the memorial triangle by 9.30am Sunday, April 24.”
Anyone choosing this option also needs to advise the RSL of their intention to supply a wreath by calling 55231412 before 4pm Friday, April 22.
PORTLAND DETAILS
Dawn Service
At Memorial Triangle, Cliff St
Dawn March: 6.20 am
Dawn Service: 6.35am
Gunfire Breakfast available following the service in the RSL rooms for members and partners who have booked.
Main Event
March: 10.30 am
Main Service: 11 am
Guest Speaker: David Sutton
A light lunch available following the service at the Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club for members and partners who have booked.
HEYWOOD DETAILS
A service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10am, following a march from the corner of Scott St and along the Henty Highway. Guest speaker will be Troy Lovett.
