A RETURN for crowds at Anzac Day events last weekend illustrated how “sacred” the occasion is to the Riverland community, according to a local RSL sub-branch president.
Riverlanders attended dawn services – and memorial ceremonies – across the region on Sunday, after COVID-19 restrictions forced most Anzac Day events to be cancelled in 2020.
Barmera RSL president Jim Rolfe said a combined ceremony with the Berri RSL sub-branch was successful.
“It turned out really well,” Mr Rolfe said.
“We normally have over 1000 people out at the Garden of Memory, (but) with the hiccups of COVID we had around 400 to 500.
“There was also a dawn service out at Cobdogla with around 100 people at that.
“We were just disappointed we couldn’t have people back to the clubhouse, because we normally have 300 back at the club room for breakfast and the odd rum or two.”
Renmark RSL president Peter Higgs said approximately 500 people participated in the annual march from the Renmark Club to the Cross of Sacrifice.
“It was fantastic to see people come back out and show their respects, given what happened with COVID last year,” Mr Higgs said.
“For the mid-morning ceremony there would have been close to 500 people.”
Mr Higgs said continuing to involve young Riverlanders in Anzac Day commemorations was a priority for local RSL sub-branches.
“We try and get the army cadet unit from Berri involved and they carry the flags for us in the march, and provide the catafalque party on the Cross of Sacrifice,” he said.
“Remember the veterans and their families. Hopefully next year will be better again.”
Mr Rolfe said commemorations for local servicemen were “crucial and vital” to Riverland communities.
“The population of Australia needs a place to show their respects,” Mr Rolfe said.
“There’s over 6000 Australian men and women currently serving somewhere in the world… we need to think of them too.
“When you talk to the ordinary Australian, for them Anzac Day is a sacred thing.”
Mr Rolfe said the Berri and Barmera sub-branches would continue co-operating for future Anzac Day ceremonies.
“There’s no doubt about it that the Berri and Barmera clubs are in unison,” he said.
“We work together and we have done for years… we’ve worked so well together and I can’t see any issue with that going forward.”