ANZAC Day 2017 in Leeton

The local schools were well represented and joined veterans and veterans families in the march towards the Cenotaph.

The procession marched into place around the roundabout at the Cenotaph with people shoulder to shoulder.

The significance of the ceremony varied from person to person.

Some come to honour the memories and service of family members, others to honour the service of friends, all answered the call of a deep seated moral obligation to pay their respects.

Leeton Mayon Paul Maytom representing Leeton Shire Council opened the ceremony with a salute.

Peter Mooney offered a prologue and was followed by Father Anthony Dunn who led the group in prayer.

The impact of the ceremony built at the stark remainder of the impact of war on Leeton when the school students placed crosses to honour each of Leeton’s fallen.

Many fought back tears as the sea of white crosses built at the Cenotaph.

After the final crosses had been laid Leeton RSL Sub Branch president John Power introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker Leeton cadet Elijah Ingram.

Elijah’s address left a powerful impact on the crowd as he described his own experiences of visiting European battlefields and how after so many years, Europeans still remember and are thankful for the sacrifices made by Australians so many years ago.

Under the calls of magpies, the ceremony finished with the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems and God Save the Queen that echoed down Kurrajong and Pine Avenues and were joined by the calls of the magpies.

The impact of the ceremony was difficult to miss and Leeton veteran Heather Whittaker was grateful to see Leeton’s support.

“I was very happy,” Mrs Whittaker said of the turnout.

“It did rain early, but it didn’t deter anyone.”

Mrs Whittaker is one of Leeton remaining WW2 veterans and she said the attention makes her feel a little uncomfortable.

“I never really did like the limelight,” Mrs Whittaker said.