The community came together on a beautiful Anzac Day morning, April 25th, to honour the bravery and sacrifice of all those who served our country.
The spirit of remembrance filled the air as residents gathered at the Mapleton Memorial Park. Established just 13 years before WWI, Australia’s swift response to join the fight alongside the Commonwealth was acknowledged. The Gallipoli landings of 1915, a defining moment in our nation’s history, were particularly remembered, as Anzac Day honours the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought on those shores.
A Community United in Respect
The service was a touching display of community spirit. Representatives from major Mapleton organisations, including the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA), laid a wreath alongside dozens of additional wreaths placed by individuals. The solemnity of the occasion was accentuated by the moving speeches delivered.
The young faces of the Mapleton and Montville school choirs added a poignant element to the ceremony. Their combined voices resonated with a heartfelt rendition of “Lest We Forget.” Adding to the emotional weight, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” was recited, and Major Peter Walsh delivered a powerful address.
The participation of schoolchildren was particularly moving. They took turns placing poppies beside the name of each soldier inscribed on the memorial, a touching tribute that ensured no sacrifice was forgotten.
Lest We Forget
Mapleton’s ANZAC Day service served as a powerful reminder of the courage and dedication displayed by past and present service personnel. The community came together to remember their sacrifice and ensure their legacy lives on.