A different dawn

May 19

Across Australia, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, plans were made to hold smaller private ceremonies of remembrance for Anzac Day. Meander Valley was no exception.

Some Gazette readers were kind enough to share their stories and photographs.

Janet Morley, Alex Tabor and Louise Schaap are all members of the Deloraine Big Band – normally part of Deloraine’s Anzac Day activities.

They took part in the dawn ‘service’ by playing in their driveways on their saxophones, from one end of Deloraine to the other.

Louise wrote, ‘We played the “Last Post” and “Reveille”, a privilege usually reserved for a bugle or trumpet at a Cenotaph.

‘I also played “I am Australian”. A little bit out of the agenda, however I am well aware Peter Ashton is keen to have the Community Band (that would normally march on Anzac Day) play this every year down at the Cenotaph.

‘Janet also says she heard a trumpet, down near the river, at dawn.’

Niecy Brown shared her Anzac Day dawn experience.

‘My next door neighbour Louise Schaap was out on the nature strip this morning at 6am playing her saxophone in remembrance.

‘It was so moving and beautifully done. Her husband, son and I felt honoured to be part of this ceremony.

‘Louise is a valued member of the Deloraine Big Band and teacher at the Deloraine High School – a true community leader in a very special way.’

‘Further down the street we heard traces of the last post from Janet Rawley, also from the Big Band and in the distance the enigmatic drift up the hill from a bagpiper near the river.’