Solemn ANZAC Dawn Service 2025 At Eudunda Sees Large Attendance to Mark 110th Anniversary

Some 250 residents of the Southern Goyder region of Eudunda, Robertstown and districts gathered at the Eudunda War Memorial at dawn, on the 25th April, ANZAC Day.

The scene was set by Australian singer Kamahl reciting J. M. Abbott’s heart felt poem ‘The Soul of Australia’ about the birth of ANZAC.

Eudunda RSL’s President Brian Kirby welcomed everyone on what was a surprisingly warm and still morning to commemorate the 110^th year anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops at Gallipoli, Turkey.

“Due to defence movements of over 1,000 men and women being posted out of South Australia the Eudunda service did not have a catafalque party today” Brian explained.

Brian went on to explain about that fateful day at Gallipoli where some 2,000 Australians were killed or wounded that first day, with one soldier describing it as a ‘Day of Sorrow’ as he remembered the dead and wounded. The campaign was a stalemate and after 8 months in December they evacuated. Sadly by then 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders had been killed. Over the campaign some 130,000 soldiers from both sides lost their lives at Gallipoli.

Brian explained,
“ANZAC Day has been one of the most important days in Australia’s Calendar since 1916. Originally it was to honour the original ANZACs, the Australians and New Zealanders who fought at Gallipoli, then it became a day to honour those who served in the First World War. With Australia experiencing the Second Word War and later wars, conflicts and Peace Keeping operations that followed, ANZAC Day has become an occasion to honour all those who have worn our countries uniform in service.

“Today, we reflect on that service and recognise more than 100,000 Australian Service personnel have lost their lives in military operations carried out in our countries name. We honour the values invested by the original ANZACs of ‘Loyalty, Selflessness, Courage’”.

The service was conducted by Pastor Jacob Fabich of the Eudunda Robertstown Lutheran Parish.

The morning follows traditional lines, with the hymn “Eternal Father Strong To Save” being sung, followed by the “Lord’s Prayer” and Pastor Fabich read from Mark 13 beginning at Verse 5.

After a blessing, Pastor Jacob Fabich conducted the sermon,
“War is the consequence of our own brokenness, we wish we could avoid it but we cant. ANZAC Day is not so much a day about celebrating war but celebrating things such as sacrifice, mateship, community and freedom. These are things we think of when we think of our ANZACs and all those who defend our country. But I think there is another place where Australian’s should look to for sacrifice, mateship, community and freedom and this place is the Church.”

The placing of the wreaths and tributes was lead by Brian Kirby who placed a wreath on behalf of the past and present members of the Eudunda RSL, followed by Adrian Schmidt on behalf of the Robertstown RSL Sub Branch.

Many wreaths were laid, including from the Julia & Districts War Memorial Hall, Eudunda CFS, Eudunda Family Heritage Gallery, Merchant Navy Association of South Australia, Eudunda & Districts Probus Club, Neales Flat Country Fire Service, Australian Red Cross Eudunda Branch, Eudunda Bowling Club, Regional Council of Goyder, SA Ambulance Service Eudunda Volunteers, Eudunda Community, Business & Tourism Committee (ECBAT), Eudunda & Districts Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Eudunda Area School, St John’s Lutheran Primary School, Hon Tony Picollo MP, Eudunda & Robertstown Netball Club, Liberal Party of South Australia – Penny Pratt, Eudunda & Robertstown Football Club.

The next hymn ‘Lead Kindly Light’ was sung by all.

Everyone was asked to ‘Stand Fast’, for the Last Post and the Ode.

The sounds of the bugle playing the ‘last post’ and the haunting words of the Ode resonated in the morning air;

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.

“We will remember them”, everyone responded as a mark of respect.

During the minutes silence, all that could be heard were the sounds of nature in the Memorial Gardens as the many birds were telling us there can be natural peace and what a beautiful memorial garden we were in, many thanks to the wonderful work of the Eudunda Garden Volunteers.

The Benediction, preceded the National Anthems of New Zealand and Australia, and the ANZAC service was concluded.

After the service, uniformed, ex service personnel and volunteer groups formed up on Gunn Street marching to the Eudunda RSL Rooms.

What a stirring sight and sound to watch everyone not in the march lined up on the edge of the gardens applaud with loud clapping those who marched proudly by in acknowledgement of their service to country and our community.

Many thanks to the Regional Council of Goyder staff for arranging the road to be closed during the march.

Additionally the Eudunda ANZAC Dawn Service had been videoed and photos taken and shown shortly after to the residents at the Eudunda Hostel so they had the opportunity to remember those who served and to be part of our service.

Lest We Forget!

Robertstown – ANZAC Morning Service

At 9am on ANZAC Day there was another service held, this time at Robertstown.
The morning included the laying of many wreathes on behalf of the many clubs, organisations, businesses and individual families in remembrance of the fallen.

Eudunda Hostel Service

Additionally the Eudunda ANZAC Dawn Service was videoed and along with photos was shown to the residents at the Eudunda Hostel so they had the opportunity to remember those who served.

Lest We Forget!

A great reference to the sacrifices of our Service Men & Women can be found at
Australian War Memorial website

Hear Australian singer Kamahl reciting J. M. Abbott’s heart felt poem ‘The Soul of Australia’ about the birth of ANZAC. (click below).