The parade procession, featuring cadets from Alamein Company, Duntroon, veterans, service personnel, local school students and residents, made its way to River Park for the annual Anzac Day Service. 

To kick off proceedings, an RAAF F-18 fighter jet made a fly by over the park. 

The pilot was Phillp Eldridge, a former Cowra man.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Judi Smith hosted the service, acknowledging all those who served in the Defence Force across all conflicts. 

“We’re assembled here to commemorate that immortal day when young men of Australia, by their deeds and sacrifice, demonstrated to the world at Gallipoli, that Australia was truly a nation,” she said. 

“The sons and daughters of Anzacs came forward without question, accepted gladly and discharged fully their responsibilities during WW2, Korea, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam and recent conflicts and peace keeping missions.”

She hoped the younger generation would never forget the sacrifice made by those who came before them.  

“On this day we remember the sacrifices of such men for an ideal, for a way of life,” Cr Smith said. 

“Let us take strength in the knowledge and hope that our sons and daughters will never forget the example set by their forefathers. 

“In our everyday life, let us endeavor to carry on those traditions established in past wars and conflicts at such tragic cost.”

She said “we think of every man, woman and child who, in those crucial years died so the likes of freedom and humanity might continue to shine”. 

“We nurture too the obligation of showing gratitude for the peace we enjoy and the responsibility of ensuring that the freedom and liberty so costly won is not lost by our own indifference.

“Lets us mourn with pride, but let us also remember with equal pride, those whose served and still live.”

Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West said there were a number of significant milestones for Cowra this Anzac Day. 

“This solemn event, etched in our nation’s history and calendar, an event this is reflected not just in the major cities, not just in the large towns, but across every small village and community across the landscape of Australia,” Cr West said. 

“While every Anzac Day is special, commemorating as it does the ultimate sacrifice paid by thousands of our fellow country men and women in theatres of war around the world, this Anzac Day is a little special in the respect that firstly, it marks 100 years of the anniversary of the completion if WW1 but if we come to a local level, it’s 100 years since the formation of the local RSL sub-Branch and 100 years since the first Anzac ceremony was conducted in Cowra.”

A speech was also made by cadet Daniel Grey and prayers were read out by the captains from Cowra High School and St Raphael’s.