Big crowd for main Anzac Day service

A serving member of the Royal Australian
Navy took part in the 11am service in
New Norfolk today.

A ROUND of applause greeted participants in today's Anzac Day parade in New Norfolk. Following a successful Dawn Service, a big crowd turned out for the main march and service at 11am.

The Derwent Valley Concert Band led the parade from Arthur Square to the Cenotaph at the top of High St. Immediately behind the band, 13-year-old Mark Curtain, of Granton, had an important task assisting his great-grandfather, Raymond Salter, 96, formerly of Maydena, in a wheelchair at the head of the column of marching veterans.

Falling in behind the veterans were relatives of servicemen and women, community members and students from several schools.

Outside the New Norfolk Post Office, the official party included RSL Sub-Branch president Geoff Hack, Inspector George Cretu of Tasmania Police, and Councillor Martyn Evans representing the Derwent Valley Council.

At the end of the march, the parade formed up in front of the Cenotaph while the band members took their seats alongside the members of the St Matthew's Singers.

Veterans marching in the 11am parade.

The service went smoothly in the experienced hands of master of ceremonies Dallas Baker, parade marshal Dale Britten, and Brian Glover who co-ordinated the laying of wreaths. Among the many tributes laid on the Cenotaph was a hand-knitted wreath made by members of a knitting group that meets on Fridays at 10.30am at the New Norfolk Library.

The Reverend Celia Hooker from St Matthew's Anglican Church gave her third address of the morning, having also spoken at the Dawn Service and the special service at Corumbene Nursing Home. She was followed by the Member for Derwent, Craig Farrell MLC, as guest speaker.

Mark Curtain with his great-grandfather,
World War II veteran Raymond Salter.

Mr Farrell spoke of the irony in the fighting of wars to bring about peace. "As we all gather here today it is difficult for most of us to imagine what going off to a war zone must be like and because others have done this before us, hopefully we won’t have to," he said.

After his address, Mr Farrell introduced the Derwent Valley Concert Band and the St Matthew's Singers, whose rendition of We Will Remember Them was later described as one of the best musical performances at a local Anzac Day services.

This was followed by the hymn God of our Fathers Known of Old, then the laying of wreaths, the reading of the names of the fallen. Mr Baker recited the Ode for the Fallen and Arthur Jones of the Derwent Valley Concert Band sounded the Last Post. After a minute's silence Mr Jones then performed Reveille and the service drew to a close with an invitation to adjourn to the RSL clubrooms.

Click here for Anzac Day photo gallery.