Re-formed Narrogin RSL leads Anzac Service for first time in seven years, drawing largest crowd in decades

For the first time in seven years, the re-formed Narrogin RSL sub-branch led the town’s Anzac Day service on Saturday, with the largest turnout in decades and representing all areas of service.

The 10th Light Horse, past and present veterans, descendants of deceased veterans, allied forces, and the HMAS Stirling catafalque party paraded along Fortune Street before the service, accompanied by military bands and vehicles, local emergency services and cadets.

The march was followed by the Royal Australian Air Force performing a flyover of Memorial Park, where attendees had gathered to pay their respects to Australia’s and New Zealand’s service people.

Narrogin RSL vice-president Kerrin Lyon welcomed everyone before Father Jo read a prayer and HMAS Stirling electronics technician and 5-inch gun instructor Liam Spencer delivered the commemorative address.

Wreaths were laid by military services, local emergency services, schools, churches and groups, and community members laid their own, with about 40 wreaths filling the Narrogin War Memorial pavilion.

Veteran David Baker read the Ode Of Remembrance, while Emily Ballantyne played The Last Post as the town united for a minute of silence in between.

Angel McGrath and Kaitlyn Gill sang the New Zealand national anthem and Molly Richards led the Australian anthem.

Narrogin RSL member Mick Williams said he was amazed by the crowd, with local veterans claiming it was the biggest turnout in the last 25 years.

Mr Williams said the veterans were extremely happy with the RSL’s productivity and success in putting on such a wonderful memorial service for the community.

“For our first Anzac service we really wanted to hit the ground running,” he said. “At the end of the day you can tell by the amount of people here that they’re happy with the way the RSL has put things back together,” he said.

“We’ve got a good cross-representation from the community, as well as the youth of Narrogin coming through seeing what Anzac is all about.

“So it’s about harnessing that and bringing them into the fold and making them realise what their forefathers and family members have actually fought for in the past, for the freedoms they can enjoy today.”

Mr Williams said with more trial and error, community interaction and a steady membership base, “it can only get bigger from here”.

He said Remembrance Day in November would be another spectacle for the town.

After the service, there was a barbecue lunch and a game of two-up at the Cornwall Hotel.

Mr Williams said veteran George Ruzicka realised he had lost his “prize possession” service medal at lunch, prompting everyone at the Cornwall to spring into action, hunting on their hands and knees for the item.

He said the State Emergency Services returned to Memorial Park for another search, and newest RSL member Evan Beckwith found the medal in the grass.

Mr Williams said it was a very emotional moment when Mr Ruzicka was reunited with his medal, and he told them it was the best Anzac day he had ever had.

“The display of mateship and camaraderie that was on display at the Anzac Day luncheon Is one of the reasons why we exist,” he said.