More than one thousand people showed up on Tuesday to take part in the mid-morning’s Anzac Day march and memorial service.
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Denis Shanahan, who helped organise the event, said in his opinion this year had been the best yet, with a clear enthusiasm from the locals on getting more involved.
“We had a lot more input from others with their ideas,” he said.
“We had a lot more involvement with the Vietnam Veterans and school kids.”
Mr Shanahan said he believed this to be more than just a return from reduced celebrations due to the COVID pandemic, but rather people understanding the importance of the day.
He pointed to the inaugural 12-hour vigil that was held by Rovers on the eve of Anzac Day as proof that there are new ideas and new ways of commemorating the day gaining traction in the area.
The march began at the Hare St crossing and ended when people arrived at Echuca Cenotaph. Local organisations and people were encouraged to leave a wreath or flowers by the Cenotaph.
Local Kaye Offord is someone who attends the ceremony every year, using the time to reflect on her father and grandfather’s service, who were both veterans. Her father served during the Korean War while her grandfather was sent to World War I.
“I have a long connection with Anzac Day,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see people remember what young men gave and what young men did.”
She said it was important to remember not just what the young men sacrificed during their time away at war but also the “terrible” effects it had on the rest of their life.
Ms Offord said that during her father’s final days it was all he could remember and that despite being proud of his time as a soldier, he would blame himself for the things that war required of him.
Vietnam Veteran and Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones said for years the day had been a hard one for those who served in Vietnam and did not receive the same welcome home that other soldiers in the past had.
“There was a lot of hatred in (Vietnam Veterans) system for a while but it’s starting to dissipate and that’s probably a good thing,” he said.
“The day can help with post-traumatic stress. These blokes get a kick out of it today — some more than others.”
He said that vigil the night before was “a good thing” because it got young people involved and looking forward to commemorating the day.
“If we’re going to carry the tradition of this on, if we don’t educate the young people and involve them we’ll have half a dozen people here at these Anzac Days,” he said.
For Mr Jones, the "key“ part of Anzac Day is catching up with other veterans and seeing people he hasn’t “in a long, long time”.
“People will be travelling around Australia and all of a sudden around the corner will come this one person,” he said.
“We meet up as mates every year.”
After the memorial service, some gathered to play two-up at the Moama RSL.