Dawn services - and two RAAF flypasts - commemorate our brave Diggers

THE sacrifices of service men and women are being remembered in dawn services and flypasts by the RAAF in our area this week.

Anzac Day dawn service at Riverstone.

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THE sacrifices of our service men and women are being remembered in dawn services in our area on Tuesday with the RAAF Base Richmond honouring them in two flypasts.

An RAAF C-27J Spartan transport aircraft will fly over the Ron Middleton VC Gardens, Wirraway Close, North Richmond from 11.15am on Monday.

The aircraft will approach from the north east, flying over the service in a south east direction, at a minimum height of 75 metres above ground level.

The Anzac Day dawn service at Riverstone attracts thousands each year.

Then on Anzac Day the Royal Australian Air Force will conduct a series of flypasts including one over Windsor and Riverstone.

A C-130J Hercules will fly east to west over Memorial Park, within McQuade Park, at Windsor about 6.25am on Anzac Day and then about 6.28am over the cenotaph in Riverstone.

A spokesman for the RAAF base said the flypast is subject to variables including air traffic control requirements, weather, and operational availability and could be cancelled at short notice.

“The flypast is an opportunity for Defence to showcase its thanks to retired service personnel and the wider Australian public, remembering those who have paid the ultimate price in serving the nation,” a RAAF Base Richmond spokesman said.

“Around 2350 defence members are currently deployed on operations, continuing the Anzac spirit whilet serving Australia’s national interests at home and in many countries around the world.”

Ron Middleton VC Gardens is named after pilot officer Rawdon Hume ‘Ron’ Middleton, a RAAF pilot during the Second World War.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously following his actions during a bombing raid of occupied Europe. Having sustained many injuries during the mission, Middleton managed to continue piloting his badly-damaged Stirling Bomber to England, allowing surviving crew members to parachute to safety before he was killed in the aircraft’s crash.

A C-27J Spartan will make a flypast over the Ron Middleton VC Gardens, North Richmond on Monday, April 24. Picture: Defence

RIVERSTONE: The spotlight will be on the town’s cenotaph for Riverstone-Schofields RSL sub-Branch’s Anzac Day services. Representatives from schools, community leaders and defence forces will join members of the Riverstone-Schofields RSL sub-Branch and the community to mark the occasion at 6am. The march past will start from the sub-branch on Market St, from 5.45am. An RAAF Hercules will fly over the cenotaph about 6.28am. Afterwards there will be a barbecue breakfast at the nearby Riverstone Youth Club, the cost being a gold coin donation. Details: 0423 016 655

THE HILLS: The Hills Shire Anzac Day dawn service will be held at the Centenary of Anzac Reserve, opposite Kellyville Plaza, from 6am. All are requested to be present by 5.45am. People are encouraged to park in surrounding streets and walk to the events. There will be no shuttle buses from Castle Hill Showground this year.

WINDSOR: An Anzac Day commemoration service will be held at McQuade Park, Windsor at 5.50am with people requested to be present by 5.30am for the march to the cenotaph. All are welcome to attend and to honour and remember those who paid the eternal sacrifice. After the service, all members and guests are invited back to the Windsor RSL Club for the gunfire breakfast.

GLENORIE: An Anzac Day march will be held at Glenorie from 2.45pm, followed by an Anzac service at Glenorie RSL at 3.15pm. Assemble for the march at 2.45pm at the Woolworths Carpark, Old Northern Rd, Glenorie. Veterans from Glenorie RSL Sub Branch, Hills District Pipe Band, Light Horse Brigade, 226 Army Cadet Unit, Army Bikes will be taking part.

GALSTON: The Anzac service at Galston Cenotaph will begin at 2.20pm on April 23. The event will feature marchers led by The Hills District Pipe Band. Marchers will assemble at Galston swimming pool and march down Galston Rd to the cenotaph next to History Cottage.

Veterans will be joined by RFS members and Dural scouts and Galston guides. Berowra Federal Liberal MP Julian Leeser will give the address. In case of rain, the service will at Galston Memorial Club in Arcadia Rd followed by an afternoon tea and a recital by the band.

WISEMANS FERRY: An Anzac Day dawn service will be held at 5.30am at Wiseman Ferry Bowling Club. The ‘gunfire breakfast’ will take place from 6am, with the march and ceremony at 11am.