By Kyra Gillespie
Fresh from its third consecutive victory in the VMAA Championships, the Pakenham and District Aircraft Radio Control Society (PDARCS) initiated an Anzac Day Service for members of the club at their Burley Field on Wednesday 25 April.
The formal ceremony was conducted by club member, Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Slade and commenced with John Williamson’s Diggers of the ANZAC as 50 members assembled in front of the Australian Flag and a display of model warbirds.
Lieutenant Colonel Slade spoke of his distinguished military career before the Last Post sounded and veterans Peter Harrison and Peter Anderson lowered the flag to half-mast.
A minute’s silence preceded the Rouse and the raising of the flag to masthead. All joined in the National Anthem followed by the Ode to the Fallen.
The ritual concluded with Lieutenant Colonel Slade’s acknowledgement of the role played by women in conflict and his personal concern for young veterans suffering from PTSD.
Morning tea followed as veterans, members and guests gathered to exchange their stories.
“We appreciated the opportunity to commemorate the Australian servicemen and women who have served Australia for more than a century,” Club President Alan Foley said,
“Darryl brought honour and dignity to our personal ceremony in recognition of their sacrifice. It was a highlight which will undoubtedly become a permanent fixture on our events calendar.” PDARCS is a radio controlled model aircraft club which is situated on 102 acres at Cardinia and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
On the weekend of 21-22 April 2018, its team of 10 members won the coveted Victorian Model Aeronautical Association trophy for the third consecutive year.
