At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. – Laurence Binyon
April 25th, 2019 marks the 105th anniversary of the commencement of World War One. 105 years on, and there are few days in the calendar of Holmwood’s Residents that have as much meaning and significance as ANZAC Day.
Residents were joined by members of Healesville RSL, to hold an ANZAC Day service to honour the brace servicemen and women past and present, those who returned, and those who never will.
At the commencement of the service, candles were lit to represent our eternal gratitude and memory of the men and women who died in service. Our ANZAC service included a presentation on the Battle of Kapyong by RSL representative Bob Gannaway as well as a laying of the wreathes, live buglar and piper.
This year flowers were laid by three representatives- Frank Secomb, returned serviceman, laid flowers on behalf of our Townsend Wing. Residents and Cairn Patton, whose father was a Military Chaplain in World War One, laid flowers for our Coranderrk Wing residents. This year staff member Gail laid flowers on behalf of the staff and management of Holmwood.
After the service, which was attended by many residents and staff, the residents enjoyed time reminiscing and sharing stories and memories together of their own experiences and looking through the collection of material and memorabilia Holmwood holds. This included a Newspaper from May 8, 1945 (VE Day) which residents found most interesting.
Happy Hour ensued, with War-time songs and sing-a-longs and games of two-up!
On display was a handmade knitted-poppy wreath, made by the residents of Holmwood with 101 Poppy’s sewn into a wreath. There were 100 red poppies in honour of servicemen and women and one purple poppy to commemorate animals which served during conflicts.
Lest we forget.