Anzac Day: Alice Springs community commemorates the fallen
The people of Mparntwe, Alice Springs had emerged by first light today to commemorate Anzac Day in a new location this year.
Centralian Advocate
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AT Alice Springs Garden Cemetery, the people of Mparntwe, Alice Springs had emerged by first light to commemorate Anzac Day in a new location this year.
The crowd attended the gunfire breakfast and hundreds turned out for the Dawn Service at the cemetary’s War Memorial on Sunday morning.
Traditionally the Anzac Hill Cenotaph is the used site every year.
While 2020’s traditional Anzac Day celebrations were cancelled, the Alice Springs RSL this year returned the Dawn Service as a traditional, solemn commemoration for the fallen.
Australian Army Cadet under officer Nikita Badenoch, 17, raised the flag as part of the Dawn Service.
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She joined the cadets when she was 13 after she saw her stepbrother and friends enjoying it.
“I came along on a Tuesday night and enjoyed it. Six years later, I ended up becoming the highest ranking cadet that you can be,” she said.
Her grandfather served in the Vietnam War.
“Being the highest ranking cadet I can teach the other cadets what I know and pass my knowledge on to them and so then they can be better leaders when they go up ranks,” she said.
Wearing the uniform brings Nikita a strong sense of pride and achievement.
”I’m representing not only Australian Army Cadets, but also the army and everyone past and present in army,” she said.
“I enjoying parading on Anzac Day, it has a lot of respect. It would be a god thing to pass on.”
The traditional early morning events will be followed by a reunion breakfast, with a shortened march to follow through Todd Mall before a mid morning service at Anzac Oval.
Although due to COVID restrictions, only four wreaths were laid at both the Dawn
Service and Mid-Morning Service.
The wreaths were laid by the RSL on behalf of all Veterans and families, the NT Government on behalf of the Territory, the Alice Springs mayor Damien Ryan on behalf of the Alice Springs Community, Rat of Tobruk and local veteran Sydney Kinsman and Divisional Commander – Kathryn Campbell Magjen AO CSC on behalf of the Australian Defence Force.
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