CONDUCTING a game of cricket or football with the imprint of war on the sidelines has become a feature of the Australian Defence Force, past and present.
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So much so that the sporting Anzac Spirit takes on extra significance considering the role of sport in raising morale amongst troops.
Whether on the beaches and undulating grounds of Gallipoli, in Changi’s prisoner of war camp, or the ‘Ashes in the Desert’ matches in today’s Iraq, sport has helped distract from the horrors war, emphasised mateship, relieved boredom, and even acted as a distraction for the enemy.
And so it is fitting for this year’s centenary of the Anzac to literally kick off for Wingham’s RSL Subbranch at a special centenary service on Saturday, April 18 at the Wingham Sporting Complex, prior to the Group Three rugby league first grade match between the Wingham Tigers and Port City.
“Sport has played a big role in service life over the years,” said Ron Irwin, president of Wingham RSL Sub-branch.
“They say in Gallipoli a football was kicked around on the beach. Now, I’m not going to say what kind of football, there were probably a few, but it seems fitting in this centenary year to bring the Anzac service and football together.
“It’s a great initiative by the Wingham Tigers, which we are only too pleased to accommodate.”
Mr Irwin hopes this year’s football service will be the first of four to take place over the four years of the anniversary, just one of many events planned by the sub-branch to commemorate this year’s anniversary.
On Sunday April 19 the annual Uniting Church Anzac service will be held, followed by a combined church service of up to six denominations in Wingham’s Town Hall.
The community service will be conducted by the group of ministers on behalf of the RSL. The normal school visits will continue, with services by each school featuring a guest speaker from the sub-branch.
On Friday April 24 the spirit of the Anzac will be present at a special commemorative service for the war graves at Wingham’s cemetery.
“Unlike previous years, it will start at 5.30pm, around sunset. It’ll be pretty special,” said Mr Irwin. “It’s a service designed for the returned soldiers who have died in the region over the years, but also for those who never made it back.
“There was no such thing as repatriating a body back to Australia in World War I. This is about symbolically bringing their spirit back to where it should be. The names of those who have fallen will be read out.”
And on April 25, 2015 ...
Anzac Day will be welcomed on Saturday April 25 with a dawn service at Wingham Town Hall at 5.35am, followed by a march at 9.45am and service at the cenotaph.
“There will be a couple of surprises. I’ve been sworn not to tell, but they will be symbolic and simple. It’s not about changing anything, but about coming up with something special to commemorate 100 years of Anzacs.”
Mr Irwin praised the efforts of the members of the Sub Branch, whose combined efforts have organised this year’s special events