The Mathoura RSL Sub-Branch is active in ensuring that the memories of those who served and those who lost their lives will never fade.
It is believed to have begun after a lone local woman, Dorothy Powel, visited the Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens and raised a flag on Remembrance Day to show her respects.
Since that initial action, as well as Remembrance Day, we now have two other remembrance services.
Anzac Day, April 25, has always been a main day for remembrance.
It initially began with an 11am service in the shire hall with guest speakers, followed by a march to the gardens and the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.
However this changed after two new arrivals to town turned up at the gardens for a dawn service and found themselves alone.
They were not alone for long, however, with the introduction of a dawn service the following year. This was followed by a tasty breakfast in the War Memorial Hall.
With the growing calendar of events and reducing number of helpers, Mrs Powell approached Bronwyn Eddy for assistance.
That was 2001 and Bronwyn’s initial offer was for 12 months.
However 22 years later as she is about to ‘hang up her hat’ – resigning as secretary.
Bronwyn can look back with pride on her achievements.
They include involvement by students of Mathoura Public School who not only attend, but run the proceedings introducing guest speakers and leading singing segments.
The youngsters have also prepared small crosses with the names of all those who served which are laid out on the memorial garden lawns.
Bronwyn has also been responsible for the attendance of catafalque parties and light horse representatives at ceremonies
The ANZAC centenary also saw the community respond to her call for red poppies to be made.
This resulted in hundreds of poppies decorating the shire hall and the entrance to the gardens.
Congratulations to Bronwyn and thanks for your efforts, which also resulted in coverage by The Australian newspaper back in the day.
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Wow! Mother Nature certainly put on a show again on Tuesday.
The night sky was filled with a great variety of colours and sounds – not to mention a good dose of rain, and maybe even a bit of hail.
Last year was unusual with no spring to speak of.
While the current summer has produced scorching weather, it was nice to get relief from the heavy downpour.
However, I’m sure I’m not the only one who had a torch on hand – just in case.
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Don’t forget Australia Day and all the fun of the fair coming up on Thursday.
The nation’s birthday will be a free day of food and fun, beginning with a breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausages before the introduction of our guests - Member for Murray Helen Dalton, former North Melbourne footballer Brent Harvey, and Echuca/Murray Town Crier Judy Campbell.
Judy will call the crowd to order for the official part of the day, which will include allegiance to country.
The guest speakers will give their addresses after which local Australia Day Award winners will be announced and certificates presented.
So if you have nominated someone for an award, please make sure both your nominee and yourself will be in attendance to enjoy the moment. It would be a shame to miss it.
And no birthday would be complete without the cutting of the Australia Day cake, with cup cakes available for the children.
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