Reflections on past acts of service formed the core messages of ANZAC Day addresses at the 2025 Charlton commemoration which took place between the High Street cenotaph and the Charlton Hall last Friday.

The 110th commemoration of the Gallipoli landings saw community support for the day of remembrance continue to grow with a large crowd and school attendances increasing the generational acknowledgement of defence service by, and for, our country.

From RSL members to emergency services personnel, Red Cross members to the town’s youngest citizens, a wide cross-section of the community lined the street and later filled the Charlton Hall as the sacrifices and deeds of the original Australian and New Zealand Army Corps continue to inspire, guide and stir the imaginations of succeeding generations. 

Wreaths
Under grey skies the formalities began at the cenotaph, commemorating the fallen with wreaths laid by RSL members, school captains from Charlton College and St. Joseph’s Primary School, Red Cross personnel, and Charlton Fire Brigade representatives. Bugler, Corey Harrison played “The Last Post” before the call to order brought participants together for the march to the Hall. As traffic on the highway was brought to a standstill, the march progressed down High Street to the accompaniment of the Charlton/Wycheproof Community Band and the applause of the crowd.

MC Troy Heenan welcomed a packed Hall to the 2025 commemoration service, briefly touching on the significance of both the historical and contemporary contributions by defence force personnel and the values which the ANZAC spirit continues to embody.

Guests
Official guests were introduced, including: Charlton RSL president, Allan McGillivray and secretary Bill Freeman, Padre Reverend Judi Bird, Buloke Shire Councillor, Bruce Stafford and guest speaker, Squadron Leader Michael Lowe, along with his wife, Tara. Recognition was also accorded to OAM attendees Bruce Hudgson and Brian and Rae Heenan.

A new component of this year’s service saw students from Charlton College and St. Joseph’s come forward to place a poppy on rows of miniature white crosses placed in front of the stage. This gesture of respect and remembrance continues the connection between the generations as the ANZAC legacy is perpetuated.

Address
Buloke Shire Councillor, Bruce Stafford then presented a reflective address in which he acknowledged the service of two family members at Gallipoli, the loss of another family member during a World War II RAAF training exercise and of his wife’s grandfather who perished at Borneo’s notorious Sandakan Prisoner of War Camp. Reflections on their duty, the sacrifices and the hardships for those both at home and abroad, along with acknow-ledgement of the support organisations such as Legacy and Red Cross rounded out his presentation.

The Reverend Judi Bird (RSL Padre) then led the proceedings with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, an introduction to the choir singing “Abide with Me” and the reading of the 23rd Psalm by Charlton College School Captains, Emmersyn Nelson and Fletcher Holmes-Brown.

Guest speaker, Squadron Leader Michael Lowe, was then introduced by RSL secretary, Bill Freeman. 

A resident of St. Arnaud since 2010, with a busy legal practice, Michael’s distinguished Australian Defence Force career began with the Air Force from 2001 where he was commissioned as a legal officer. Following numerous Australian postings, he was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Catalyst in 2006, and after discharge from the permanent Air Force in 2007 he was 

re-engaged on contract to deploy to Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan) in 2008/09 in support of Operation Slipper. Michael and his wife, Tara met whilst she was a serving Air Force member; she commissioned as an officer and served until 2010. 

Joining the Air Force as part of a scholarship program while studying law at university, Michael said the decision was an easy one as “being paid to study, travel and meet new people” held great appeal. 

Outlining why the choice was the Air Force and not other sections of the services, the reasoning was that while the Army sleeps under the stars, the navy navigates by the stars, the Air Force choose their accommodation by the number of stars, “and that was all the convincing I needed,” he said!

Middle East

As a legal adviser to commanders, many opportunities arose including deployment to the Middle East in 2006 for the rehabilitation and stablisation of Iraq, and Afghanistan in 2008 – 2009 as part of the international campaign in the so-called war on terror. Expanding on his experiences in Afghanistan, the accommodation attraction so desired earlier was in sharp contrast to the cosy ideal – the reality was rudimentary living conditions, targeted rocket attacks and 24/7 noise from the close-at-hand airstrip.

Stories

Sharing two incidents, both of which left an indelible mark, but which exemplified the highest ideals of the ANZAC spirit, Michael related these stories from his Afghanistan deployment. 

Reading from the Victoria Cross citation for SASR Corporal Mark Donaldson, whose courage, gallantry and disregard for his own welfare in an ambush situation saved lives in the face of sustained enemy fire. Michael said, “If there’s a better story that epitomizes the ANZAC spirit, I’ve yet to hear it.”  By repeatedly acting as a decoy, returning fire and administering medical care to the wounded, Mark’s exceptional gallantry saved lives and ensured the safety of other members of the Afghan, US and Australian force.

The second story involved 21-year-old Corporal Mathew Hopkins, who was on an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan. Returning home for a two week break, he married and became a father to his first child.  On his return to Afghanistan he was shot dead four weeks later when he and his team were engaged by a group of Taliban. The statement posted by his wife, Victoria read in part: “Mat had the most important job – he was father to our son Alex, my husband and my best friend. He only got to spend four days with our son before he had to go back overseas. I’m so glad he got to meet his son and experience fatherhood.”

In concluding, Michael said, “My decision to share these two stories is not to diminish the many other stories that could be told. I share these two stories because they remind me of the reason we stop and pay our respects on this day.”

Music

Musical contributions are always an important part of the Charlton service and the inclusion of the Charlton Choir (under the leadership of Gill Gretgrix) and the Charlton/Wycheproof Community Band (under the leadership of Brian Heenan) once again brought a valuable dimension to the morning’s ceremony. With the band supplemented by a number of young participants this year, and the addition of members who travel some distance to be involved, it is a commitment which is much appreciated.

Initiative

Another new initiative at this year’s service were static displays of ADF related objects and oral histories revealing the involvement of those who served and those on the home front during periods of conflict in the nation’s history. RSL member Judi Bird explained that the displays were a way for young people to connect with the commemoration process, to ask questions and build their knowledge about these periods of time in the nation’s history. Next year student art work will also be added to the Hall display.

Concluding the morning the crowd was invited to stand for the National Anthems of New Zealand and Australia before the Grace was pronounced and thanks were expressed to all involved in presentation of the day. 

Morning tea and refreshments were then available in the RSL clubroom for guests, visitors and the local community to share.