Lakers remember ANZACS at Morning Service

EXCLUSIVE

Kinglake Lions Club president Ken Aitken welcomed everyone to the 2018 (Wednesday, April 25) Centenary ANZAC Service at the Kinglake Community Centre War Memorial.

Yea High School Captain Max Westwood commenced the service.

Regulars at the service, Mick Abrey of Ruckus fame, played Redgum’s “He Was Only 19” followed by bass player Barry Tiplady singing Eric Bogle’s “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” followed by Yea High School captain Ruby Hitchman reading the ANZAC Requiem.

“It’s great to have this support growing every year,” Aitken said.

“What a great, if not the best, community day said Murrindindi Councillor Leigh Dunscombe on council’s Facebook page.

The introduction followed a prayer led by Ivan Peterson of the Whittlesea-Kinglake Uniting Church “that governments will provide freedom for all banished from starting war … [and] provide justice and freedom for all.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with you all these years Asho,” Aitken said.

Christine Stonehouse of the Kinglake Country Womens’ Association (CWA) remembered the pioneering local men of Kinglake Ranges who served the nation in war, including “48 young men from Kinglake.”

“The Kinglake [West] Hall was crowded with people…”

Stonehouse talked of Pvt. Harold Bayliss, a Kinglake boy who enlisted at 16 years of age and the Pollard and Rooney families of Kinglake, all of whom served in Gallipoli.

Ruckus then played “I Am Australian,” before Kinglake Scouts and Middle Kinglake Primary School students sung Advance Australia Fair as the flag was raised from half to full mast by scouts.

Mick Abrey told Kinglake Ranges News that “it’s a lot bloody warmer than the last few years [we’ve performed] … when we’re all … freezing.”

“Thank you for the beautiful weather. This is fantastic, the first time,” Abrey said, referring to the mild weather.

Yea High School captain, Max Westwood read ‘The Ode For The Fallen’ before children from Middle Kinglake Primary School and First Kinglake Scouts sung Advance Australia Fair as Whittlesea Uniting Church Minister, Ivan Peterson, read the Benediction.

Yea High School’s Ruby Hitchman concluded the service.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BZU301pdWE&w=854&h=480]