Good Attendance at ANZAC Services in Southern Goyder for 2019

Eudunda – Dawn Service

After welcome rain overnight, the pre dawn bird calls were broken to the haunting sounds of Bagpipes and Drums of the Barossa & District Pipe Band.

The ANZAC Dawn Service at Eudunda saw some 230 people attend with what turned out to be a very pleasant morning, with the Australian and New Zealand Flags at half mast.

Pre Dawn, Eudunda Residents wait for the ANZAC Service to start.
L-R: Joy Scholz, Fay Grosser, Joy Pfitzner, Allen Kleinig.

This year the service was supported by the men and women of A Crew from the No.1 Remote Sensor Unit, RAAF Edinburgh forming the Catafalque Party.

RAAF Edinburgh formed the Catafalque Party at ANZAC Dawn Service Eudunda
Left Foreground: LACW Carmen Thompson

Eudunda RSL’s Andrew Partington welcomed everyone to the service

The service was led by Eudunda RSL’s Hedley Scholz,
“Today in Australia we are honouring an event, known as ANZAC Day where we remember the ultimate sacrifice which both men and women have made during the two World Wars, the Korean & Vietnam wars, the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan and other conflicts around the World”.

Hedley Scholz conducts the Service
Hedley Scholz conducts the Service
L- R Facing: Andrew Partington, Hedley Scholz, Andy Riemekasten, Geoff Hansen, facing away ACW Nyssa Hough

Hymns and the New Zealand and Australian Anthems were sung and the “Lord’s Prayer” recited as part of the service.

Singing National Anthem during ANZAC Dawn Service at Eudunda 2019
Singing National Anthem during ANZAC Dawn Service at Eudunda 2019
L-R: LACW Elle Ranniko, Cpl Steven Doyle, Maureen Stephens, Rodney Grosser, Deadra Leditschke, Robert (Bob) Leditschke

A lone piper played to start the laying of wreathes in memory of those who have fallen. As many organisations and individuals offering tributes, the rest of the band joined in the make it a unique experience.

Below are a few of those laying tributes.

L: Geoff Hansen observing Lesley Garlic and Lisa Menzel lay Flowers on behalf of Eudunda CFS
LACW Jessica Leggeollo lays a tribute on behalf of the A Crew - No.1 Remote Sensor Unit, RAAF Edinburgh
LACW Jessica Leggeollo lays a tribute on behalf of the A Crew – No.1 Remote Sensor Unit, RAAF Edinburgh
Gary Schutz lays a tribute on behalf of the Eudunda Show
Gary Schutz lays a tribute on behalf of the Eudunda Show

Who would not be moved by the sound of the lone bugle playing the last post and then the ode,
“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.”

At the end of the service the memorial was decorated with lovely flowers and wreathes.

Service Personnel March to the Eudunda RSL Rooms after the ANZAC Dawn Service
Service Personnel March to the Eudunda RSL Rooms after the ANZAC Dawn Service, Flag Bearer Andy Riemekasten
March 3 - Barossa & district Pipe Band
March 3 – Barossa & District Pipe Band
March 5 - Service personnel march to the RSL Rooms
March 5 – Service personnel march to the RSL Rooms

Immediately after the service the traditional march from the Eudunda Memorial Gardens to the Eudunda RSL Rooms by uniformed and serving personnel was lead by flag bearer Andy Riemekasten as they marched to the beat of the pipe band. A generous quantity of delicious food, cake, sweets and drinks was consumed while everyone chatted.

A Crew - No.1 Remote Sensor Unit, RAAF Edinburgh formed Catafalque Party
A Crew – No.1 Remote Sensor Unit, RAAF Edinburgh formed Catafalque Party during the Dawn Service
L-R: ACW Nyssa Hough, LACW Carmen Thompson, LAC Dan Arbizo, LACW Ella Ranniko, LACW Jessica Leggeollo, Cpl Steven Doyle.

Of note was that some of the pipe band members could not stay too long as they proceeded on to the Adelaide Service where they were involved in the band there. This reminded some of us of the earlier years, up until the ‘80s when the rail service was still running. The train used to run a ‘special’ so that service personnel could attend the Eudunda service and then jump the train and march in the main Adelaide march. Some of us still remember going down with our parents to the march this way).

Robertstown – Morning Service

The Robertstown ANZAC morning service had a fine day greeted 110 people assembled to remember those who had fallen during all wars and campaigns.

Robertstown gather for Mid Morning ANZAC Service
Robertstown gather for Mid Morning ANZAC Service

Mike Colbey led the service, with Pastor Peter Pfitzner giving the readings and address. Peter spoke of a man who served in the Second World War to return home to South Africa and how he observed the Africa animals and developed an agricultural practice called ‘regenerative agriculture’.

Pastor Peter Pfitzner & Mike Colbey deliver the ANZAC Service at Robertsotwn
Pastor Peter Pfitzner & Mike Colbey deliver the ANZAC Service at Robertsotwn

One must mention that last year Cr John Neal introduced the new planting of roses named ‘We will remember them’ which had been planted behind the Robertstown War Memorial. The roses were sent specially from France. What a splendid showing they had this drought affected year.

The memorial roses beauty was well matched though, by the many wreathes and flower tributes laid by the community organisations and businesses as well as some individual tributes. Congratulations to the ladies of Robertstown who work hard to put together so many beautiful flora tributes for this special day.

ANZAC Service - Robertstown 2019 St John's School Students lay wreath
ANZAC Service – Robertstown 2019 St John’s School Students lay wreath
Robertstown Kindy lay tribute
Robertstown Kindy lay tribute

After the service everyone remained behind for the traditional BBQ and chat.

Eudunda Hostel

Both the Eudunda dawn service and the Robertstown morning service were recorded and played to the residents at the Eudunda Hostel straight away that same morning. A lovely presentation of flowers from the Robertstown ladies who made the many flower arrangements for the previous ANZAC services was given to the Hostel residents.

Everyone, both Hostel residents and the nursing staff were proudly wearing crocheted poppies lovingly made by one of the residents, Yvonne Burgermeister who proudly told that she had made 29 of them, one for everyone..

Yvonne Burgemeister Crocheted 29 Poppies for ANZAC Day
Yvonne Burgemeister Crocheted 29 Poppies for ANZAC Day

This was indeed a lovely gesture on Yvonne’s part and was indeed a reminder of the many hours and hard work that the ladies left behind during the wars did to support those off fighting with “Care packages”. One can only imagine the lift in spirit that those service personnel must have experienced when they received a package from Australia.

Everyone at the Hostel was very thankful that they could be included in the districts services, which bought back many memories.

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