West Arnhem ANZAC Day commemorations

In the early hours of Tuesday, April 25, community members from across West Arnhem came together to commemorate ANZAC Day with dawn services held in Jabiru, Maningrida and Warruwi.
More than 200 community members and visitors from out of town attended the proceedings at the Jabiru cenotaph with the service involving a number of community organisations including the Jabiru Army Cadets and Jabiru Girl Guides for the first time.
Corben Nabanardi also read out ‘The Ode’ while fellow cadets Amos Djandjomerr, Wadiet Batman-Baird, Patrick Cunningham and Jason Cunningham assisted in the flag raising.

Around 150 attended the Maningrida service held at the Maningrida barge landing. Photo credit: Simon Rodgers

Personnel from the Navy, NORFORCE, Army and Airforce attended the special service with Reverend Lindsay Parkhill delivering the welcoming prayers and RAAF Corporal Bryce Nietvelt and NORFORCE Corporal Steven La Rose addressing the crowd as special guest speakers.
At the conclusion of the service, the community marched together to the Jabiru Lake and enjoyed a barbecue breakfast cooked by the Jabiru Fire Station.
West Arnhem Regional Council Media Coordinator Heidi Walton wished to thank all those involved in the event, particularly the wonderful people and local groups who made the event a community effort.

Shantel Bayne, Rias Alvani, Catherine Ralph, Captain Pini, Private Portelli with the G-Wagen Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicle.

The Jabiru Girl Guides took part in the Jabiru ANZAC Day service for the first time this year.

Meanwhile, more than 150 community members attended Maningrida’s 19th ANZAC Day Service which was held at the Maningrida Barge Landing.
Jo Killmister said it was great to see so many people from different organisations come together to share in the spirit of ANZAC Day and to remember those that have served the country in the past and the present.
“It was fantastic to see the Maningrida Police and NORFORCE share the duties of raising and lowering the flags,” she said.
“We had some students from the school read some poems and lay some wreaths, and a historical address that captured a story from long ago. After the service we all came together at the snake pit to have a bacon and egg breakfast. “
“Thank you to the West Arnhem Council, Maningrida Police, staff from the school and BAC who all got involved to organise and run the event.”
The dawn service in Warruwi was also greatly received with WARC Council Services Manager Kupa Teao thanking the community for their support.
“A great big ‘thank you’ to everyone in the community who attended the service and supported it,” he said.
“I was extremely proud of our Army Reserve Indigenous men from Warruwi who turned up in full uniform.”

The flag raising in Maningrida. Photo credit: Simon Rodgers

The Jabiru Army Cadets form around the cenotaph with special guests following the service.

More than 150 Jabiru community members and special guests joined in the commemorative march to Lake Jabiru following the ANZAC Day service in the town plaza.

Richard Narwirr, Ida Waianga and Renfred Manmuluru in uniform at the Warruwi service.

The Warruwi community having morning tea following the ANZAC Day commemorations.

Clontarf and cadet members Davis Nabanardi, Corben Nabanardi, Jason Cunningham, Amos Djandjomerr, Wadiet Batman-Baird and Patrick Cunningham.