ANZAC Day commemorations in West Arnhem

In the early hours on Thursday, April 25, West Arnhem community members commemorated the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli known as ANZAC Day.
Commemorative services were held in Jabiru, Maningrida, Minjilang and Warruwi to honour the memory of the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to their country all those years ago as well the following generations of servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
In Jabiru, around 120 community members and visitors from out of town attended the dawn service which included the Navy contingent from HMAS Coonawarra, Northwest Mobile Force (NORFORCE) Darwin Squadron, Unit 72 Arnhem Land Army Cadets, Commander Australian Army Cadet Brigadier Michael Ashleigh and the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel.
The cadets formed the catafalque party with Officer in Command of Army Cadets Northern Territory Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Mark Christopher addressing the crowd as a guest speaker and Mim Gowler reading The Ode.
At the conclusion of the service, the community marched together to the Jabiru Lake and enjoyed a barbecue breakfast thanks to the Jabiru Fire Station.

West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) wished to thank all those who were involved in and supported the service, particularly Unit 72 Arnhem Land Army Cadets, Reverend Lindsay Parkhill, Andy Ralph, the Jabiru Fire Station and the Crocodile Hotel.
In Warruwi, a small service was held as the sun rose over the ocean. 
The service was supported by West Arnhem Regional Council and the Warruwi School which supplied the ANZAC biscuits and the wreath at the last minute. A thank you  must go to Ida Waianga, Laura Caddy and the students of Warruwi School and West Arnhem Regional Council for supplying the breakfast.
The Maningrida community held its 20th ANZAC Day Service on Thursday 25th April at the West Arnhem Regional Council Office. It was great to see about 90 to 100 people show their support for past and present service men and women.  
The service was run by Duncan Whitchurch, an Army Chaplin, who has served overseas.

The moving service included stories of past wars; song some very emotional songs and Raia Carey; Silvo Mason and Hugo Turner all read poems.  
Maningrida Police and James Woods from Emergency Services all raised the flags in honour of fallen soldiers.  

During the service, children laid wreaths.  
It was another moving tribute to all those who have served their country past and present.  After the service everyone enjoyed a bacon and egg sandwich and ANZAC biscuits. 
We would like to thank West Arnhem Regional Council, Maningrida Progress Association, Maningrida Emergency Service and Maningrida Police for their continued support of this annual service.