- Peter Arday (leader) ST1300
- Denis Wignell FJR1300
- Chris Dietzel GTR1400
- Allan Sjaarda Valkyrie
- Donna Spencer Guzzi
- Gary Dunne XT1200Z
- Garry McCurley VFR1200
- Alan & Lyn Munday FJR1300
- Darryl Palin GL1800
- Steve Light 1600 Nomad
- Steve Mills SV650
- Colin Wilson VT750C
- David Robinson FJR1300
- David Burfoot GTR1000
- Ian & Sally Paterson Jetta 118TSI
It was a chilly morning, as befits Anzac Day, as we hit the Barton Highway at 7:30am. There was a fair bit of traffic leaving town for the three-day weekend but it was moving smoothly so there were no holdups.
The bride and I were in the tin-top because of my torn subscapularis tendon (it’s in the shoulder and I haven’t ridden in two months because of it) so we tried to blend in at the back of the pack.
When we reached our coffee stop in Murrumburrah, in brilliant sunshine, Peter took us to Barnes Store, a little further up the road from the usual place, and it was excellent. The owners opened up half an hour early to suit us and couldn’t have been friendlier and more accommodating. The coffee was good, the mugs were huge and the home-made meat pies were delicious.
From there we had an easy run to Temora, arriving in plenty of time to fuel up and take our places for the Anzac Day march. On the way we passed through tiny Springdale, where the local service was under way. Their organisers asked us a few years ago if we could take part in their service on our way to Temora but we had to decline.
As we have done for years in Temora, we brought up the rear of the march, which was led by a jeep carrying the oldest service veterans, followed by a group of past and present service people, including the catafalque party.
I love the Anzac Day service at Temora. The weather is usually brilliant as the march swings into Callaghan Park and most the town and district’s population gather around the war memorial in the shade of spreading plane and ash trees just starting to show their autumn colours.
As anyone who has ever been to a country town on Anzac Day will know, half the town takes part in the march and service and the other half gathers to watch, applaud, bow their heads in thanks and take part in the ceremony. It is a whole-of-community event.
Everything is done by the locals – the MC, the pianist, the choir, the bugler, the speakers, the wreath layers are all home-grown. It might not be as slick, professional and majestic as services in Canberra or Sydney but it is in no way second best in enthusiasm, sincerity, respect, warmth and emotion. To top it off, being home to the Aviation Museum means Temora has a two-way flyover by an iconic Spitfire, raising the hairs on the back of my neck and startling corellas and galahs into the air.
The Temora march was led by present and past service men and women but they were followed by hundreds of others – men, women and children – from the Salvation Army, children and teachers from five local schools, the Girl Guides and Ulysses Canberra Branch. The march organisers welcome us back each year, as do the locals with their applause. As well as enjoying the sight and sound of the bikes, they can see from the medals on many chests that a lot of our members are veterans.
Involving the wider community and particularly the children – including an oration each year from at least one school student – helps keep the Anzac tradition alive and meaningful to younger generations. A few years ago one of the speeches was given by a primary school boy who was a descendant of the first Aboriginal Spitfire pilot (who, incidentally, has a street named after him in Ngunnawal). That wonderful testimonial alone was worth the trip from Canberra.
Lyn and Donna joined representatives of dozens of other organisations and individuals in laying wreaths during the service, after which we adjourned to the Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club for lunch.We’ll be going to Temora again next year, so put it in your calendar now. You already know the date!
Ian Paterson
