Thousands defy rain for Anzac services

Bunbury RSL president John Gelmi has praised the community after a strong turnout at the Anzac Day dawn and morning services in the city yesterday.

Thousands of people braved rain at the dawn service at the Bunbury War Memorial but the conditions cleared for the morning service at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell. Mr Gelmi said he was very pleased with the turnout despite the heavy rain at the dawn service.

“I was over the moon considering the weather, it clearly didn’t put people off, ” Mr Gelmi said.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t use screens because of the weather but Total Sound did a great job helping us out.

“There were upwards of 5000 people at the dawn service and a similar number at the morning service, which is a little down on last year but it’s great because that was the centenary and the weather was nicer.”

People stood in the rain along Victoria and Stirling streets to watch the dawn service.

The service was led by master of ceremonies Alf Mainstone as guest speaker Lt-Cdr David Oliver, who served on HMAS Bunbury, talked about the difficulties defence personnel faced when they returned home.

Mr Gelmi also spoke to the crowd and thanked people for attending.

Lance-Cpl Brett Corkery played the Last Post and Reveille as people stood and reflected.

The Bunbury Men of Song performed the Australian and New Zealand national anthems as well as the songs Band of Brothers and Anzac Day at both services.

It was much sunnier at the morning service at the music shell, which began with a march from the Bunbury RSL.

The Bunbury Men of Song performed a number of titles with the Bunbury City Band and school children, community group members and politicians laid wreaths during the service.

Mr Gelmi said he expected strong crowds at the Anzac Day services until 2018, which would mark 100 years since the end of World War I.

“There are a lot of people in Bunbury who had family members involved in the Western Front so I think we will see a build-up until 2018, ” he said. “I’m very thankful for the support from the public and the people who have taken part in the services for many years.”

More pictures from Anzac Day in Thursday’s South Western Times