Woy Woy dawn service was well attended

The Anzac Dawn Service at Woy Woy Memorial Park was well attended.

More than 800 candles were supplied by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy and “were snapped up very quickly by the crowd”, according to club president Ms Julie Jones.

“It was a beautiful morning, quite warm compared to some we have had in the past.

“It certainly seemed be a much bigger crowd than last year.”

The service was attended by surf boats from Ocean Beach and Umina Surf Life Saving Clubs and Central Coast Marine Rescue in the Woy Woy Channel.

Marine Rescue radio operators and boat crew, with the crew using the spot light to light up the flags during the service.

Why was Anzac Day not acknowledged?

Prior to the deferred Central Coast Council meeting on April 26, I had prepared a precis of the significance of Anzac Day.

I had handed this to council staff prior to the meeting with advice to deliver the important message to Administrator Mr Rik Hart so that he could officially deliver his own respectful oration.

The precis clearly states the tribute should be at the beginning of the meeting appropriate for a national, regional and local ceremony. The community forum began with the Acknowledgement of Country, followed by advice on the Code of Behaviour.

Four residents then addressed the Administrator before the meeting adjourned.

The second part of the meeting began with the same acknowledgement of country and public behavior advice.

While this played out, the obedient servants in the roles of senior officers sat mute onlookers without input on this issue of national significance.

As there was still no reference by the Administrator to the importance of Anzac Day, I left the meeting in disgust.

This matter should be of particularly of interest to veterans.

Why will the Administrator not acknowledge Anzac Day or the presence of veterans at the meeting, when he is prepared to recognise the attendance of Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council members at a normal council meeting?

What is Mr Hart’s opinion of Anzac Day and the many thousands of men and women who have sacrificed for Australia?

Lest we forget: That is the veterans’ creed.

Norm Harris, Lovell St, Umina

Members who came to the morning service and participated in the march.

The Rotary club provided tea, coffee and Anzac biscuits to those attending.

“We served 100 cups of tea and coffee,” said Ms Jones.

“It was very touching at the coffee stand when a veteran getting his cup of coffee, thanked us so much for being there.

“We in turn thanked him so much for his service.”

Following the service, a complimentary breakfast was served at Ettalong Diggers.

“It was great to see our dining and terrace full, returning to pre-Covid years,” said Diggers marketing manager Ms Kim Cole.

“We are very grateful for our RSL Womens Auxillary who served bacon, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes and fresh bread rolls to 430 guests.

“As always, it’s wonderful to see so many attendees adorned in medals, especially young children wearing them so proudly, and embracing this special day.”

SOURCE:

Social media, 25 Apr 2023

Julie Jones, Rotary Woy Woy Umina Surf Life Saving Club

Marine Rescue Central Coast Kim Cole, Ettalong Diggers

Crowd for Pearl Beach dawn service

A large crowd of locals and visitors gathered on the beachfront for the Pearl Beach Anzac Day dawn service.

Members of the community made readings and presentations.

“It was a beautiful and solemn start to Anzac Day, with gentle guitar music playing before the dawn service,” said Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

Following the beach service, morning tea was served at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.

Ms Tesch laid a wreath at the new memorial at the hall, finished recently with a State Government grant to the Pearl Beach Progress Association.

“The memorial hall and the war memorial were officially unveiled on September 16, 1950,” said association publicity officer Ms Lynne Lillico.

“At that time, Pearl Beach was a popular spot for ex-servicemen to live and holiday after the Second World War.

“There was sub-branch of the RSSAILA, now the RSL, at that time who used the newlycompleted hall for their monthly meetings.

“The Women’s Auxiliary catered for the official opening when it was dedicated as a Memorial Hall.”

The war memorial plaque was unveiled at the same time.

“By 2022, the masonry of the memorial was in poor condition.

“The original brickwork had been rendered and bagged, and the original marble plaque replaced in bronze.”

Ms Lillico said the progress association made a successful application for a grant to upgrade the memorial in solid Sydney sandstone.

RKH Heritage Architect oversaw the work by experienced stonemasons from the RJC Group, she said.

“Master stonemason Mr Sefton Willis, and a team from RJC, undertook the work.”

The Memorial Hall and Pearl Beach War Memorial are now owned by the Pearl Beach Progress Association which was established in 1929, and grew out of informal gatherings of residents to discuss local problems and community projects.

Pictured are Mr Sefton Willis and his team with Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

SOURCE: Media release, 26 Apr 2023

Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association

Ocean Beach service

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club held an Anzac Day service at its memorial.

“It was another heartwarming Anzac Day service,” said Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

“Thank you to everyone who joined and paid their respects, including the wonderful service men, service women and their families.”

SOURCE: Social media, 25 Apr 2023

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford