By Oliver Winn
Under the still darkness of the early morning, hundreds of locals gathered for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Emerald RSL.
The Puffing Billy’s mournful whistle echoed through the air as the crowd stood silently and dedicated their thoughts to those who’ve served for Australia.
Emerald RSL president Kane Falconer led the service for the first time this year and said he embraced the honour of leading the Anzac Dawn Service.
“Today we reflect on a moment in time, 110 years ago, as the dawn broke, just like now, over the cliffs of Gallipoli, young Australians and New Zealanders landed at a place that would be etched into our national soul, Anzac Cove.”
“The landings at Gallipoli were doomed to fail from the start. Poor planning, steep cliffs and fierce resistance saw many of our young diggers fall. But through sheer determination and grit, they held their ground and carved out a foothold on the horror and soil,” Mr Falconer said.
Before continuing with his speech, Mr Falconer took a moment to acknowledge the hard work of previous Emerald RSL president, and Vietnam veteran, Peter Maloney.
“Before we begin, I would also like to acknowledge the man who stood here for many years before me, Peter Maloney, a Vietnam veteran and a tireless advocate for our community.”
“He embodies the Anzac spirit and it’s an honour to continue his legacy.”
Mr Falconer moved to commemorate Emerald’s first resident to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Lieutenant Colonel William Donovan Joynt, whose bravery and leadership at Herloville Wood in 1918 won him the medal.
“It’s entirely possible he too may have boarded Puffing Billy from our local station behind us and began his journey to an uncertain fate. He remained a tireless advocate for veterans and a model member of the Emerald RSL.”
Other notable war figures were also acknowledged, such as Sir John Monash, whose name is now etched into the streets and institutions of Australia.
Monash was also a founding member behind the creation of Anzac Day itself and played a leading role in the construction of the Shrine of Remembrance.
“When Monash died in 1931, more than a third of Melbourne turned up for his funeral. A clear testament to the admiration and respect that he had earned both on the battlefield and at home,” Mr Falconer said.
Typical for the Emerald RSL Dawn Service, the mournful, almost ghostly Puffing Billy whistle cut through the taut air like a knife.
“Just behind us here, at Emerald Station, reminds us of the journey those young men once took. Puffing Billy, our beloved steam train, parroted many of our local boys from these very buildings on their journey to the battlefields of Europe.“
“Their legacy is carried with the very rails that still run through our hills.”
Mr Falconer invited Second generation RSL member Graeme Legge to read a prayer before the Emerald Primary School and Emerald Secondary College captains read their own speeches to the crowd.
Though the Emerald Primary School captains couldn’t quite reach the height of the microphone, they all stood tall and proud as they delivered their speeches.
The Ode of Remembrance was then recited, followed by the bugle performance of the Last Post and the collective uttering of “lest we forget” after the minute of silence.
