Yenda Turns Out To Honour ANZACs

It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect, the sun shining and a nice breeze blowing through, and a great turn out to honour the ANZACs.

Yenda resident Lauren Riggs said the community really came together this year. “Last year, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to hold the event,” Ms Riggs said.

“The RSL still organised for everyone to stand out on their driveways or verandahs with a light on for the dawn service.

“They had the speakers turned up so anyone who happened to be standing outside could still hear as they played The Last Post.”

Ms Riggs remembers last year’s event vividly because she had woken to feed her hungry baby, so she took her out onto the verandah, listened and took part in the minute’s silence before heading back indoors.

“Even though I paid my respects, to me it just didn’t feel it gave the justice ANZAC Day deserves,” Ms Riggs said.

“Having a dad who went to Vietnam, I grew up going to ANZAC Day marches every year.

“So, this year, my kids aged 4 and 2 being able to attend was a memorable experience, and for them to see their Poppy (Neville Brown) hold the flag and march, they were very excited.

“I’m not going to lie, trying to keep young kids quiet during the service can be quite tricky, so I packed some snacks for them to munch on and I think they didn’t do too bad.”

The Yenda RSL organise the ANZAC Day event each year, and president Alan Wakely goes above and beyond to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

Ms Riggs said they had the dawn service at the Yenda Diggers Club followed by a cooked breakfast.

“At 11am, most people meet at the Yenda Diggers Club, where they organise the line up with the RSL and anyone who has served or is currently serving in the front, Yenda Public School students and teachers follow,” she said.

“This year, we had some students and teachers from Yoogali Public School and St Francis De Sales Regional College attend the march as well.”

• Topics:

• ANZAC Day