General News
9 May, 2025
Armatree’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service
The 2025 Armatree Dawn Service drew a crowd of around 200 people to commemorate not only ANZAC Day, but the 80th year since the end of World War II, with the surrender of Japan.
By Barry and Tom Malone
There were four veterans and two current service personnel amongst the crowd who stood by the cenotaph for the service.
The two current service personnel had travelled from Townsville and Newcastle respectively to experience a small country dawn service. It was great to have them with us.
Two of the other ex-servicemen travelled from Adelaide, with their wives, to be with us.
Keith Morgan, has made the trip on numerous occasions, as he started his schooling at St. Joseph Convent, Gulargambone, along with his siblings.
His father had an electrical business in Gulargambone.
After finishing school Keith joined the RAAF for 19 years. Overseas service included PNG, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Middle East, where he served with multinational peacekeeping force.
Highlights included 1000 hours flying hours in DC3, a year with the Roulette aerobatic team for the Bicentennial and flying Bob Hawke and Paul Keating while Executive Officer of VIP Squadron in Canberra. Keith delivered the prayer ‘Let us make Commemoration of the Fallen’.
The other retired serviceman, in full uniform, Air Commodore Chris “Noddy” Sawade. Chris joined the RAAF in 1974, later posted to number five squadron at Fairbairn, flying helicopters.
Noddy completed several tours throughout Australia, the South West Pacific and the Middle East.
Noddy delivered the prologue at the beginning of the service.
Liam Cosier read the ‘Prayer of Thanksgiving’. Georgia Kirkwood read ‘Prayer for King’ and Eliza Mudford the ‘Prayer for Nation’. It was great to see the children participate and do their jobs so well.
The commemoration address was prepared by Michael Sora and delivered by his daughter, Caitlyn.
The address covered our local heroes from World War I, being VC winner Alexander Buckley, who lost his life at Peronne in France; and local Tim Altmann, son of Rodney and Maureen.
Tim still lives in Armatree after being deployed to Afghanistan in April 2013. He returned to Australia in December 2013 after nine years of service to his country
‘The Last Post’ was sounded by our regular bugler Rosemary Duncan, to close the service.
Our thoughts are also with a proud Vietnam veteran, Gware Green, and his family who are going through difficult times. He has been a regular attendee of Armatree Dawn Service however, this year he was unable to attend due to ill health.
Mention must be made of Charnley family who passionately keep this service going, even through trying health times.
