Dawn service honours sacrifice

Lucy Jarvis, North Coast TimesNorth Coast Times

Mr Baldry oversaw his last Anzac service that day, where about 4000 people gathered to remember those who had served in the Australian and New Zealand armed forces.

‘The first Anzac Day that I did was about 250 (people) ” it has grown,’ Mr Baldry told the Times.

‘It’s so nice to see all the young families there, especially as it’s during the school holidays.’

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The April 25 dawn service at Quinns Rocks Sports Club involved several cadet groups, scouts and the Peter Moyes Anglican Community School’s choir and orchestra.

Mr Baldry said the Scottish Coastal Pipe Band played the introduction as people arrived, setting the tone for the service.

He said the service included the New Zealand anthem again this year, and for the first time, Maori singer Jo Matthew sang Now is the hour.

Flight Lieutenant Tony McDermott was the guest speaker this year, and the Military Brotherhood Military Motor- cycling Club’s Perth president Shane Kempton read from a relative’s war diary.

A Royal Australian Air Force jet flew overhead at 6.25am, Nicole Bouquet released the doves and Bryan Shoosmith organised the lighting, sound, smoke and big screen so the crowd could watch the service.

Mr Baldry said the RSL received $8500 from Lotterywest for the event, plus a portion of an $8000 City of Wanneroo grant that also funds its Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance Day events.

He retired at 4pm last Friday, after two-up, and said the RSL sub-branch was going to elect a new president last night, after the Times went to print.