Caroline Hammat
Hundreds of people ventured out on a cold morning to attend the dawn service at Millicent’s Cross of Sacrifice.
Early in the service the umbrella’s appeared as the rain drizzled for a short time.
Over 300 people listened in silence as prayers were offered by Chaplain Paul Hales, and President of the Millicent RSL sub-branch Chris Matthias led the service.
Members of the Mount Gambier 48CU formed the catafalque and the service ended with the public invited to the RSL Hall to join the gunfire breakfast.
The service which followed the mid-morning march was also well attended.
McKillop MP Nick McBride and Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll and Deputy Mayor Peter Dunnicliff were in attendance.
Following Mr Mathias’ opening address Mr McBride spoke to those in attendance including a personal reflection about his great uncle Sgt Keith Martin McBride who is named on the Kingston Memorial.
Sgt McBride enlisted in 1940 aged 23 and served in the RAAF.
He died during an air battle in the middle east in 1942 aged 24 and is buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery.
Mayor Noll followed with his own address acknowledging local veteran Fred Ellis who at 96 years old is one of the last World War II veterans in the Limestone Coast.
Mr Ellis is a resident of the Boneham Aged Care facility and commemorated ANZAC Day with family members, residents and staff at a service held at that site.
Mayor Noll said Mr Ellis is “a gentleman and treasure of our community” before reading the story of Cpl John Mott Marion, MM, known as ‘Jackie.’
Cpl Marion was awarded a Military Medal for his actions and he died at the Battle of Lys in 1918.
His story is included in the local WWI history book, Honouring our fallen, along with over 100 other men listed on war memorials throughout the Wattle Range Council area.
25 separate wreaths were laid during the service on behalf of local schools and kindergartens, service clubs, community groups, businesses and individuals.
Further wreaths were laid by the Millicent RSL Sub-Branch, Mackillop MP Nick McBride and on behalf of the Barker MP Tony Pasin.
