Reverend B. Westbrook (Methodist) had concluded his address and bandmaster Digger Jack Pike sound Reveille as the dawn replaced the fluorescent light. The unrehearsed incident lent striking emphasis to words the Sub-branch president, Digger Jack Steep, had quoted in the Anzac dedication – “as the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming of a new light in the dark places of the world”.

Servicemen formed up at the R.S.L. clubroom and the tramp of marching feet stirred memories of war as they moved towards the Memorial. In his address the Revd. B. Westbrook made reference to the courage, sacrifice and faith of those who had fought for their country, All over Australia today, at commemorations, such as this, our people will watch with pride and sorrow, he said; pride in traditions made and sorrow in the hearts of so many because of those who did not return.

Equally impressive and more largely attended was the 11.00am commemoration. Showers fell at the closing stages but in no way marred the ceremony. Scouts, Cubs and Guides, school children, World War I and II veterans, marched proudly with the Municipal Band from the Civic Centre to the Memorial, and the Memorial was beautifully bedecked when the wreath-laying as concluded.

Wreaths were laid by the sub-branch, the municipal council, the R.S.L. Auxiliary, Legacy, Red Cross, C.W.A., Civilian Widows, schools from Port Macquarie, Hibbard and Rawdon Island, Scouts, Girl Guides and Cubs, and several private wreaths.

Diggers A. G. Munro, Fred Johnston and “Tod” Roods participated in the commemoration with sub branch president Jack Steep and Father McMaster.  School children, under the baton of Mr. Wal. Sneddon beautifully rendered “Land of Mine”. Details of the address given by Father McMaster, a World War II padre, appeared in Tuesday’s issue.

The Anzac Day Reunion Dinner was once again a happy function. R.S.L. Auxiliary members set places for 420 and an empty seat was hard to find in the auditorium of the club rooms. All were well fed and Charles Brown a member of the ‘silent service’ was outspoken in a complimentary and appreciative strain when offering the toast, “the ladies”. After thanking Digger Brown, auxiliary president Mrs. Coral Butler said there were thousands of Diggers who needed help and by its catering efforts Port Macquarie’s Auxiliary was able to provide its share towards a peak need that had yet been reached.

Digger Jack Steep presided at the reunion dinner. Among the official guests he welcomed Mr. Howard Fowles, M.L.A., Srgt. Ron Kelly, Dr N.E. McLaren, Archdeacon Warr and the Revds. Martin and Bruce Napper. In proposing the toast to “The Day We Celebrate”, Dr. McLaren spoke of the unity and comradeship grown up between New Zealand and Australia since the name of Anzac, created by General Birdwood, first burst on the world in the heroic deeds of 1915.

Proposing the toast, “The R.S.L.” Mr. C. Uptin said a new concept of the soldier, the father and the friend, now filled the ranks of the R.S.L. He said the measure in which the R..S.L. had achieved the purpose first embarked upon in 1916 – to provide for the sick and wounded, care for dependents, pensions, homes, employment, education – was evident in such the Northcott Neurological Centre, the War Veterans’ Homes, pensions, medical care and all just rights which the R.S.L. had wrung from Governments over the years.

He said these things would not be without the R.S.L., for the frailties of human nature would ensure that both the noblest solider and the distressed digger were forgotten memories. “We can do nothing about the shortcomings which make it easy to forget great sacrifices except combat such frailties with courage and strength of purpose”, he said. “Courage and strength of purpose, as well as comradeship, are characteristics of the R.S.L.,” he said.