Sydney stops to remember at Anzac Day dawn service – By Tim Barlass
Source : smh
The serious stuff of the dawn Service is done with (it’s actually still dark when the service wraps up at 5.30am).
The police motorcycle riders and marshals are having their caffeine fix. There’s a bit of time to get ready for the pipe bands to warm up before the marching begins. All medals and regimental banners lead to Elizabeth Street. There’s something of a carnival atmosphere here.
First on the scene is the Australia Post mobile corps, attired in hi-vis “tennis ball yellow” astride their EDVs (electric delivery vehicles). They are armed with hundreds of Aussie flags to give to the expected crowds. The flags are Australian-made from 100 per cent plant material and are biodegradable.
Bernadette and Jacqueline have got the prime pitch for their Legacy rosemary stand just next to the marching start epicentre. The sprigs, donated by Harris Farm Markets, are going upwards from $5. Their best so far is $50.
Jacqueline says: “I was up at 1.30am, in the office at 2am handing out the rosemary to our girl guides and scouts who were on the streets at 3.30am.”
Further up Martin Place, there is a memorial to the commandos and a service scheduled to start at 8.15am. In the front row with his green beret is Allan Russell, 99, from Rose Bay.
He is one of two surviving members from the Z Special Unit formed during World War II to operate behind Japanese lines in South-East Asia. That’s the hush-hush stuff, but he is about to reveal all.
Can you tell us about your service? “No. I’ve never talked about it. There’s no one to verify what I tell you. The only person I need to satisfy is me and I’m very dissatisfied.”