Kathryn Bermingham
THE picturesque Memorial Gardens in Tooradin were the perfect setting for a moving Anzac service on Saturday morning.
The memorial was a joint effort between the Tooradin Foreshore Committee and the Kooweerup RSL.
Veterans began the service by marching over the bridge and into the gardens, headed by a bagpiper.
Celebrant Tracy Barker conducted the service, with speakers from Kooweerup RSL and a Cerberus Flag Team in attendance.
Jeff Stokes read The Ode and listed the names of the fallen, and John Camilleri did the blessing and read The Lord’s Prayer.
The captains and vice-captains of Tooradin Primary School delivered a moving message on the importance of remembering the legacy of the Anzacs.
Students Lily Howes, Lochlain Van der Valk, Hannah Sellings and Sam MacDonald were then involved in the planting of a lone pine commemorative tree.
They were presented with a book and certificate from Tooradin Foreshore Committee president Lindsay Mitchell.
War memorabilia including hats, posters and photo albums were on display, and families were invited to lay poppies.
Local sporting teams were well represented and the Tooradin Fire Brigade was also present.
Gary Bould of the foreshore committee said the service was a fitting tribute.
“It was well-attended and everyone was very respectful, just a really good day.
“Credit must go to both the Tooradin Foreshore Committee and the Kooweerup RSL who had devoted about six months of organisation.”
