The Durong Green Frogs Girl Guides proudly led the Anzac Day march
Wreaths from many local groups and individuals were placed on the memorial

April 26, 2013

by Martin Stern

About 800 people gathered at Boondooma Homestead on Thursday to commemorate Anzac Day.

Although Boondooma Homestead is not officially listed as an official Anzac Day venue, it always draws a large audience with a mixture of locals and people attending the Spirit of the Bush Balladeers weekend.

The morning started early with a reading of bush poetry, with an emphasis on Australians at war.

The service started at 9:00am with a march led by the Durong Green Frogs Girl Guides.

Compere John Major spoke about his trip to Gallipoli and read one of his bush verses.

Bridget O’Shannessy, 13, a niece of Cr Kathy Duff, then sang the National Anthem.

Uncle Allan Gill, chairman of the Murriajabree Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Association, acknowledged the rural and Aboriginal serviceman that are part of the Anzac legacy and gave a brief history of Aboriginal servicemen.

Bush balladeer Tom McIvor sang and Greg Bain read a verse about Australian servicemen.

The Last Post was played and a minute’s silence observed before the laying of the wreaths.

The Anzac Day service at Boondooma is becoming more popular each year with the idyllic bush setting, bush verse and music and great comradeship.

Related articles:

Tom McIvor provided some of the music …

… and Bridget O’Shannessy sang
Judith Brandt and Pattie Brown laid wreaths upon the memorial

Uncle Allan Gill spoke about the role indigenous service personnel have played

 Greg Bain read a verse about Australian servicemen

[Photos: Martin Stern]