About 100 people marched down Bega Street in Wolumla as the small town payed tribute to service men and women on Anzac Day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The march was led by flag bearers from Wolumla Public School and tailed by a dozen horse riders and a firetruck from Wolumla Rural Fire Service.
John Fraser presented the service, becoming visibly and audibly emotional as he made a special tribute to Berne Umback, a WWII veteran and resident of Wolumla for 14 years.
“This is the first year in 20 years he hasn’t been with with us to march on Anzac Day, he will be missed,” Mr Fraser said.
Pupils from Wolumla Public School contributed to the ceremony, with Kayla Macrae reading the prayer of thanksgiving, Chelsea Beveridge reading the prayer for the Queen and Chloe Toomey reading the prayer for the nation.
Tegan Trezise and Katrina Corcoran also read orations for the crowd.
“All around Australia, people hold ceremonies for Anzac Day, but the thing that sets Wolumla apart is that it is our ceremony,” Katrina said to the crowd.
As the last post was played magpies warbled from the trees above, creating an authentic, Australian tribute to service men and women.
After the ceremony, the crowd moved to Wolumla Memorial Hall for morning tea.