By DAVID NAGEL
LEST We Forget – as three standalone words they achieve nothing startling, but when they become one, as a post-script to The Ode on Anzac Day, they become powerful, remembering those who have fought, and those who have died fighting for our freedom.
Achieving nothing as individuals but becoming powerful as one … gee that sounds familiar.
There’s a common thread between football and war – importance not being one of them- and when the Tooradin and Cranbourne Football clubs run out at Westernport Oval on Friday, Anzac Day, the threads they wear will carry with them the legacy of the past.
Adorning the specially prepared guernseys of both clubs are the names of the fallen soldiers from their local communities.
“All those names are actual people, they’re not just a vague legend, and they’re people who came from this part of the world,” Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL president John Wells OAM said.
“As far as we know, this has never been done anywhere before in this country, so we’re thrilled and honoured to be a part of it. This is not just a footy match now, these are the names of real people from this area which takes things a step further and it’s a pretty important step,” he said.
Tooradin committeeman and chief organiser for the day, Barry Purcell, said the day provided an opportunity for both clubs to make a real difference to their local communities.
“We all have a huge opportunity, in this region, to put the Anzac Day values on the map,” Purcell said.
“The commitment is to make this ongoing, far beyond this one day and take the spirit of the Anzacs along for the ride.”
Purcell’s brother-in-law, and president of the Cranbourne Football Club, Shane Baker, said his club was thrilled to be involved in the day.
“When a club comes to you and asks if you want to be a part in a day like this, the answers is yes before you even have a chance to think about it,” Baker said.
“It’s such an important day for the country and to be able to bring that awareness to young kids and keep that spirit of the Anzacs alive is what it’s all about.”
Anyone interested in being part of the big day, including the purchase of a seat at the Anzac Day luncheon, can contact Lindsay Hyde, from the Tooradin Football Club organising committee on 0412 209 072. The day is proudly supported by the Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL and Car Megamart Pakenham.
For more on the Anzac Day round of matches, including more details on the ceremonial aspects of the Tooradin-Cranbourne blockbuster, turn to Sport.
