General News
2 May, 2025
Communities remember the fallen
The Warracknabeal community banded together as they reflected and commemorated those who served in World War I and later.
A dawn service was held in Sheep Hills, with many community members from far and wide attending the early-morning remembrance march.
After the local wreath-laying ceremony, attendees travelled to Warracknabeal for a 10.30am march to Anzac Park which was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the gates.
School captains, community groups, veterans, loved ones and others laid wreaths in honour of the fallen.
Attendees soon gathered inside the park gates, taking a seat for the commemorative service.
Warracknabeal RSL Sub-branch president Graeme Massey led the service, introducing guest speaker Pam Cupper.
Mrs Cupper spoke about her recent trip to Gallipoli where she re-acquainted herself with the battlefields
"For me at Gallipoli, there's always a sense of 'home'," she said.
"It's almost my second home – in total, over 40-odd years, I've spent the equivalent of months there."
She also touched on the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery she visited while travelling around Paris following the paths of the French Revolution.
"So I ventured out to the City of Paris Cemetery at Pantin," she said.
"It's a civilian cemetery, the largest in France, with a million burials."
While exploring the site she came across the Commonwealth War Graves Commission stone arch, where she soon discovered 11 of the 93 soldiers buried there were Australians.
Mrs Cupper then spoke about local soldiers including Ernest Robert Newell, who was born in Minyip and whose name can be found on the gates of Anzac Park.
A silent tribute followed, then The Last Post was played, echoing throughout the park.
The Last Post was followed by Reveille, God Save the King and the Australian national anthem.
The service was closed by Mr Massey for another year as the crowd dispersed.
