Generous spirit

By Jim Mynard
CASEY mayor Kevin Bradford has commended the Rotary Club of Narre Warren for hosting the traditional Anzac Day Gun Fire Breakfast in the Casey civic centre.
Cr Bradford said also that he was pleased to see so many young people at the dawn service held at the war memorial in front of the civic centre.
Nearly 300 people attended the dawn service at the City of Casey War Memorial in front of the civic centre despite a chilly start to the day. The civic centre reception area was packed for the breakfast and more tables were brought in to cater for the record crowd.
Rotary club president Ross Chudleigh said Rotary had catered for 20 gun fire breakfasts and said the club was proud to be part of the special day.
“We thank the Berwick RSL members and the City of Casey for their support.
“We look forward to continuation of the breakfast,” he said.
Veteran Bob Waugh told guests at the breakfast that it was only 14 years after the Australian federation that Australian soldiers went to Gallipoli. He said historians describe that event as the birth of the nation.
“To many people that time epitomises the spirit of Australia.”
He said the country now remembers the sacrifices of people who served then and those who continue to serve to preserve Australian freedoms. A record crowd turned out to the Berwick RSL march and service at the High Street cenotaph.
Many old soldiers were delighted at the sight and could not contain their feelings that so many young people were embracing the ‘spirit of Anzac’.