Echuca-Moama to honour fallen soldiers

Moama RSL treasurer Jonathan Keele said the day was an important chance to reflect on the lives that were lost.

“It’s just (about) remembering those guys who gave so much and the women that gave so much for this country of ours,” he said.

“They sacrificed their lives for us guys to have the the life that we do today and we certainly want to remember that.”

This years guest speaker will be Doug Baird, father of the late Corporal Cameron Baird, one of Australia’s most highly decorated soldiers.

The sub-branch’s relationship with Mr Baird has continued to grow over the years after a commemorative display of Cpl Baird was unveiled at the Moama RSL a few years ago.

Since Cpl Baird’s passing in Afghanistan in June 2013, Mr and Mrs Baird have continued to keep their son’s memory alive.

On the day, Mr Baird will share his son’s story of courage, sacrifice and mateship.

He will also speak about establishing the Zero79 Foundation, created in honour of Cpl Baird, which supports the Commando Welfare Trust and veteran families.

Over 200 people are expected to attend the service, including a delegate class from Moama Public School.

A bugler from the Echuca Federal Band will be present, as well as local singer Georgia Armstrong, who will sing the anthems and We are Australian.

Echuca

The Echuca sub-branch will hold its service from 10.30am to around 11.15am at the Echuca District War Memorial Park on Hare St.

The standard service will see input from local churches and schools.

Christ Church Anglican Echuca Rev Phil Zamagias will lead the service in prayer, and next year’s St Joseph’s College Echuca school captains will assist in the flag raising ceremony, and recite In Flanders Fields.

Echuca RSL sub-branch president Denis Shanahan said the ceremony was an opportunity for multiple generations to unite in memorial.

“The importance of it is that we remember those that have fallen and why they’ve fallen in various wars since World War I,” he said.

“The big thing is to pass all this on to the upcoming adults, being the kids at school these days, and make sure they’ve got a firm knowledge of what went on, and keep it as Remembrance Day.”

In recent years, the sub-branch has made an effort to include young people in both its Anzac Day and Remembrance Day celebrations.

Students and families led this year’s Anzac Day march in Echuca, with Mr Shanahan and his fellows veterans further back in the procession.

Mr Shanahan encouraged families to join the ceremony, and reminded those planning to attend that light rain was forecast for Tuesday morning.