Royal Australian Air Force veteran and Treasurer of Red Cross Busselton Peter Ralph displays his medals with pride at the Busselton Anzac Day Ceremony Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee
More than 1000 people attended the Busselton Anzac Day ceremony at Memorial Park today, with hundreds of veterans marching up Queen Street and crowds proudly paying their respects to surviving and fallen veterans.
Royal Australian Air Force veteran and Red Cross Busselton treasurer Peter Ralph said he was proud of this year’s ceremony.
“I was extremely pleased with the fighter jets flying above, they have been missing for a few years so it was great to see,” he said.
Veterans of all ages from new junior cadets to serving navy men and women paid their solemn respects to fallen comrades.
Many different uniforms were proudly displayed and when the last post was played an eerie hush descended over the large crowd.
More Pictures:
Historic army trucks were part of the Buysselton march with veterans in the passenger seat. Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeThe Busselton Brass band stood solemnly during the last post Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeHundreds of veterans marched for the solemn occasion Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeVeterans and their families over many generations and marched at the Anzac Day service Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeYoung army cadets displayed the Australian flag during the Busselton Anzac Day ceremony Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee
The Busselton Brass Band led the Anzac Day march Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeChildren from Busselton schools laid wreaths at the War Memorial during the ceremony Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeEddie Hart, Norm Flynn and David Bird of the Busselton Emergency Services pay their respects Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeRoyal Australian Air Fiorce Veteran Barry Jones displays his medals with pride Credit: Jackson Lavell-LeeRepresentatives from the RSL, Navy, Air Force and Police salute the War Memorial Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee
About 2000 people attended the Dunsborough Anzac ceremony with several moving speeches providing images of war from different perspectives.
Dunsborough Primary School student, Rezi Kiosses whose great grandfather, Mervyn Sara, was a serviceman, provided a story about his return, where he was not allowed to join his mates in the local pub or march in the parade due to his indigenous heritage.
City of Busselton Cultural Development Officer Jacquie Happ said Anzac Day was a timely reminder of the ultimate sacrifices made by the armed forces both then and now.
“I would like to thank the people who stepped up to make this service happen, Allen Cooper and Sara Warren, and the valuable help and advice provided by the previous organiser, Phillip Gifford,” she said.
Dunsborough police march during the Anzac Day March Credit: Margaret Baxter97-year-old Keith Mackinnon displays his war medals at the Dunsborough ceremony Credit: Margaret BaxterA man dressed in light horse uniform at the Dunsborough Ceremony Credit: Margaret BaxterThe historic cars made a show at the Dunsborough march Credit: Margaret BaxterA war motorcycle is paraded at the Dunsborough Anzac march Credit: Margaret Baxterlong time Dunsborough resident Keith Mackinnon provides a recollection of the early days of Dunsborough’s Anzac parade. Credit: Margaret BaxterVasse MLA Libby Mettam speaks at the Dunsborough Ceremony Credit: Margaret Baxter