Mannum Anzac Day service honours the gift of freedom

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The township of Mannum has once again gathered on Monument Corner for an Anzac Day service on Saturday at 6am.

Around 400 people attended to honour the spirit of the Anzacs.

At around 5.30am, people began to arrive, some wrapped in coats against the morning chill, others carrying children, and many wearing medals that carried stories across generations.

The sky was still dark, yet there was a quiet sense of connection in the air.

The dawn service commenced at 6am, led by president Steve Stevenson of Mannum RSL.

Local pastor John Gerhardy joined the ceremony, reflecting on sacrifice, healing, and hope.

As the first light slowly touched the horizon, the familiar notes of the Last Post echoed through the town, followed by a minute of silence.

In that moment, time seemed to pause.

Mannum veteran Nick Chance read a reflection on the life of a digger, ending with the line, “Our country is in mourning, a digger died today.”

The reading concluded in deep silence as those gathered reflected on the words.

Wreaths were laid by the RSL, Mannum CFS, Mid Murray Council, Mannum police, Mannum Community College, Legacy, Mannum hospital, the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Army, federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin, state Member for Hammond Robert Roylance, St Martin’s Lutheran Church, Suicide Bereavement Support, and members of the local community – a gesture both simple and deeply symbolic.

For many, Anzac Day was less about looking back, and more about connection: to those who served, and to those who gathered to remember them.

Following the service, the community gathered for a traditional gunfire breakfast at the Mannum Rowing Club, provided by the Mannum Lions Club.

Conversations continued over warm food and shared stories.

Laughter gradually returned, blending with remembrance – a reflection of life itself.

“My husband’s father was in the army and passed away when he was a child,” local resident Dawn said.

“My husband Ken and I always come to help with the dawn service breakfast at the rowing club.”

Another local resident, Roslyn Udy, shared her family’s history of service.

Her mother served in the Australian Women’s Army Service, working in signals during World War II at a time when few men were available for the role.

Born in 1925, she joined the military during the war.

Ms Udy wore her mother’s medals in her honour.

Michelle, who was part of the Air Force Cadets marching team, attended the service in honour of her family’s connection to service.

She later shared a poem written by her son, Jenson Mitchell, for his great-grandfather, Allan James Masters, who earned many war medals:

Loved ones lost, families broken, some made sacrifices, others were shot.
Now we parade, remember the lost.
War is a nightmare, poppies laying there, the battlefield empty.
Soldiers, pilots, sailors, nurses and animals, they tried their best, most passed.
A minute of silence, services and prayers, to respect the fallen.

Lest we forget.