ANZAC DAY SERVICE DRAWS A BIG CROWD TO LAKEMBA WAR MEMORIAL

On Thursday 25 April, The Returned & Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Lakemba Sub-Branch of The Lakemba Club held an ANZAC Day memorial service at the newly refurbished Lakemba War Memorial, which was attended by a record-breaking crowd of approximately 300 people.

ANZAC Day is a day to reflect on mateship and to honour the men and women who dedicated their lives to protect our country. “It is a day to focus on community, pay our respects to those who answered the call, and recognise their dedication and sacrifice to serve our communities with the same courage and selflessness,” said Chris Taylor, The Lakemba Club Venue Manager.

It was a cold morning but that didn’t dampen attendees’ spirits – prayers were read by Lakemba Uniting Church Reverend Graeme Watson, Celebration Church Reverend Vilaane Bolabiu and Embassy Church Pastor Mandy Fischer. Poems were read out by Holy Spirit Catholic College student Peter Evangelitis, and a special item was performed by Celebration Church International Choir, who sung ‘How Great Thou Art’.

The act of remembrance was read by Embassy Church Pastor Ken Fischer, who was the emcee on the day and also led the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were placed by Canterbury League Club President Peter Winchester, The Hon Tony Burke MP, The Hon Sophie Cotsis MP & Acting Inspector Mauro Coelho, Campsie Police Area Command, The Lakemba Club, Lakemba RSL Sub-Branch, Belmore Embassy Church, and others who wish to lay a wreath.

This was a beautiful day of respecting, supporting, and remembering our veterans and their families, while embodying the ANZAC Spirit.

“I was happy to see that our Anzac Day Service was so well represented by local community leaders, which included the entire Canterbury Bulldogs team and staff,” said Chris.