Anzac Day 2021: Strong crowd turns out to Tanilba Bay dawn service

The Tilligerry community showed their support in the return of public Anzac Day services this year with a strong turn out to the dawn service hosted by Tanilba Bay RSL Sub-Branch.

A crowd of about 400 woke early and descended on the frosty Tilligerry RSL Sports Club war memorial, including a strong contingent of uniformed RAAF members who are this year marking the 100^th anniversary of the service.

Wing Commander Julianne Wake, commanding officer of Williamtown RAAF Base's Tactical Fighter Systems Program, presented the Anzac Address.

"April 25 is the day we traditionally remember the sacrifices that have been made in the past so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today On Anzac Day we neither celebrate nor glorify war. Rather, it is a day of remembrance - a day to contemplate our good fortunate in being Australian," she said.

"More than a century ago today, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on a beach in Turkey. Against seemingly impossible odds these men fought to survive. On that day, the Anzac legend was born. What followed in history - a history of heroism, mateship and sacrifice.

"From Tilligerry to Timaru, Perth and Auckland, these young and spirited volunteers were drawn to service king and country. The notion and romance of heroism and adventure soon evaporated as the awful reality of war and fighting a war so far from home sun into the collective minds.

"Almost an entire generation of young men and women volunteered for service in the First World War... Australia, like New Zealand, initially sent "the fittest, strongest and most enthusiastic". But as the casualties mounted, things changed.

"By the end of the war, the minimum requirement for recruitment height was reduced to five feet and the maximum recruitment age was increased to 50 years. The price was frightening and debilitating. Australia, with a population of just over 4.8 million, of the 330,000 plus put out on the battlefield, over 59,000 were killed and over 152,000 wounded."

In her address, WG CDR Wake further spoke on examples of heroism and self-sacrifice that has come to embody the Anzac spirit.

"The strength, determination, courage, mateship and larrikinism of our first diggers are the traits that still proudly define our soldiers, sailors and aviators of today," she concluded.

Following the address, Diana Paterson, co-ordinator of the RSL sub-branch women's auxiliary, delivered the Prayer for the Queen which was followed by the Prayer for the Nation by Justen Bailey (Tanilba Bay RSL Sub-Branch, the citation by Alan Curry OAM (trustee of the RSL sub-branch) and the laying of wreaths led by John Olive (treasurer and trustee of the sub-branch).

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