BEFORE first light yesterday morning, locals began to make their way to the Hamilton War Memorial at Melville Oval to commemorate Anzac Day.

By 6.30am with pride filling their hearts for the bravery and sacrifice made by our armed forces, the crowd had swelled to hundreds.

As silence fell, Aunty Claudette Lovett gave a moving ‘Welcome to Country’ to Gunditjmara.

“We are able to wake up to a beautiful day like this because of their service; because of their bravery,” she said.

“It is a difficult time for some that have served because it is about their comrades that have fallen.

“I remember my grandfather, my great uncles … over 120 members of my family throughout history, from WWI to current day, who have served in the wars.

“And I am sure there are many others here in Hamilton that have had family members who fought for our country we all love; we call home.

“I thank each and every one of them … for giving me this blessed country allowing me to lay my head on my pillow … in peace.

“I always remember them … they are here in spirit, in Hamilton and in Australia - in spirit.

“Travel safely on country; take care of the land and the land will take care of you.

“That’s what our men and women fought for; our land - so that we have a place to call home.”

Reverend Peter Cook OAM invited everyone to join him in prayer, whatever faith or understanding, to thank God for those who have given their lives in service and have made sacrifices.

“We gather this morning to honour and thank many people - those who have given their lives in service,” he prayed.

“Those who have suffered physical, mental and emotional injury.

“The families of the fallen or inured - we gather that we might give something of ourselves for them all and may your eternal care embrace them all.”

Rev. Cook remembered the current members of our armed forces in his prayer and in particular, those involved in peace keeping operations and for their families.

“We ache for a peaceful world that those in positions of leadership and power across the world can make their decisions increasingly with the goal of achieving peace,” he prayed.

“May empathy, compassion dialogue and cooperation, overtake the cruelty and futility of war driven pursuits.”

Hamilton RSL president, Danny Bland, invited everyone to reflect on the rows of the hundreds of white crosses on the lawn, each one representing someone from Hamilton who served our country.

Mara Sheedy-Barby of Hamilton paid her respects at the crosses of several Sheedy family members who served in the Australian forces.

She proudly wore the medals of her great uncle George Sheedy, who grew up in Milton Street, Hamilton, who enlisted in the 2/21st infantry battalion of the Australian Army, ‘Gull Force’, and who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“He was one of four brothers who enlisted in WWII and one of two who did not come home,” she said.

“He was 23.

“He was a prisoner of war and was killed on the 20th February, 1942 in the Laha Massacre at Ambon, Indonesia.

“His brother Ross also died aged 31 - he was killed as a prisoner of war at the Sandakan War Camp in 1945.” 

Their brothers David and William Sheedy, Mara’s grandfather, served in the Australian Infantry and in the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.

Their father, Mara’s great grandfather, David Sheedy, served in the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion and fought in WWI but sadly succumbed to his injuries after returning home.

Before the Last Post and the Reveille were played by Nicholas Huf, and as light dawned across the sombre faces of those in attendance, the timeless words of the Ode of Remembrance were read by ex-navy, Hamilton RSL vice president, Graeme Mustow OAM.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning.

“We will remember them.”