Minutes before daybreak on Friday, a huge crowd gathered the illuminated monument dedicated to those who have served Australia in times of war.

There to welcome people of all ages was the president of the Donald RSL sub-branch, Carmel Dugan, who described the annual ceremony as “a symbol of commemoration to those who have fallen”.

 “Since early times, the half light of the dawn was one of the most favoured times to attack an adversary,” said Carmel.

“Dawn’s misty shadows played tricks with the soldiers’ eyes giving an attacker some advantage. World War I was no different.

“In the trenches of Gallipoli and the Western Front, and on the front lines in the Middle East company’s orderly officer and sergeant woke those soldiers on active duty an hour or so before dawn.

“In the dark, the troops would fix their bayonets to guard their position against enemy attack, which they were very aware was very common at dawn.

“The first landing on Gallipoli was pre-dawn on 25th of April, 1915; 110 years later we use the dawn of the 25th April to gather together to commemorate those who fought, those who fell, those who suffered, and those whose lives were changed forever.”

“Acknowledgement”
Following an “acknowledgement to country” by Zeike Rayner, Fr. Gerry Prunty led the assemblage in prayer, piper Hamish Pearse played

“The Dark Island”, and Police Sergeant Martin Nunn spoke of “those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during all conflicts”. Wreaths were laid at the monument, and poems were read by Donald students.

Donald RSL member Brian Williams recited the Ode, and the crowd sang the National Anthem.

Thanks to all concerned were conveyed by the sub-branch president, after which those present moved to the Donald Bowling Club’s rooms for breakfast served by members of the Donald Lions Club.

A Day of Remembrance and Commemoration

(By Police Sergeant Martin Nunn, speaker at Donald’s Anzac Day Dawn Service).

We have gathered here before the war memorial to remember and commemorate the men and women of the Australian armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during all conflicts. 

The memorial shows that 53 military personnel from the Donald district lost their lives during World War 1 and 18 military personnel lost their lives during World War 2. We also remember all those who returned home and were scarred by conflict both physically and mentally.

Great War
The first world war also known as the Great War was in its time the most destructive conflict yet experienced by humanity. When it began in August 1914, few imagined the course that it would take, or foresaw its terrible toll. From a population of just under 5 million Australians, more than 400,000 Australians enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Gallipoli
110 years ago, following four-and-a-half months of training in Egypt, before dawn on 25th April 1915, 16,000 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops (ANZACS) landed on the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula.

The men were part of a British and French led invasion. The allies’ mission was to destroy Turkish guns that were preventing naval ships from reaching and bombarding the Turkish capital, Constantinople. If they succeeded, Turkey might be forced out of the war and Germany would lose an important ally. Some 2000 Australians were killed or wounded on April 25.

It was a day of confusion and fear. One soldier called it “a day of sorrow” as he remembered the dead and wounded. At Anzac cove, the Australians were the first to land. The New Zealanders followed later in the day.

Stalemate
They advanced about a mile in some places, less in others, but they could go no further. For the next eight months, the campaign was a stalemate. Between 15th and 20th December, the Allied forces successfully withdrew 36,000 troops from ANZAC cove and Suvla. By then 8700 Australians and almost 2700 New Zealanders had been killed. They were some of at least 130,000 soldiers on both sides who lost their lives at Gallipoli, along with 18,000 Australian troops wounded. Approximately 60,000 Australian soldiers, along with New Zealander soldiers fought at Gallipoli.

Following the evacuation, the ANZACS re-grouped in Egypt before being transported to other theatres of World War 1, primarily the Western Front and Middle East. When an armistice ended the fighting on 11th November. 

World War II
In 1918 people hoped, even imagined, that the great war would be the last war – “the war to end all wars”. But this was not meant to be. Two decades later in 1939 the world was again plunged into a second global conflict, Australian and New Zealand service men and women again enlisted, serving their country for peace and freedom. 

In 2025 we remember 80 years since the end of World War 2 in 1945.

Since World War 2 Australian forces have been involved in numerous conflicts and peacekeeping operations, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and the war on terror.

Anzac Day has been one of the most important dates on Australia’s calendar since 1916. At first, it gave people a chance to honour the original Anzacs – the Australian and New Zealand service personnel who fought in Gallipoli. Then it became a day for those who served in the First World War. With Australians experiencing the Second World War, and wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations that have followed, Anzac Day has become an occasion to honour all who have worn our country’s uniform in service. Today we reflect on that service. 

We recognised more than a hundred thousand Australian service men and women who have lost their lives in military operations carried out in our country's name. We honour the values courage that have been invested in the original Anzacs – loyalty, selflessness – and the ways in which later generations have measured their own achievements against those of the soldiers who have fought on Gallipoli.

I would like to end this commemoration with this poem:

This day of days again we keep

In memory of those who sleep

Forever by the quiet sea

Away in far Gallipoli.

’Tis Anzac Day! ’Tis Anzac day!

Oh, soldier comrades far away

You died in war, may we live in peace,

So live and love that war may cease.