Published on Thursday, 26 April 2018 at 12:00:00 AM
As the sun rose across the Pilbara landscape residents and tourists gathered to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, honouring the original ANZACs as well as the generations of servicemen and women who have defended our freedom.
Dawn services and family friendly events were held throughout the Shire of Ashburton, proudly supported by Rio Tinto and the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project.
Past and present members of the Armed Forces, dignitaries and community members laid wreaths in memory of all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and continue to serve, while those gathered paused quietly to honor the fallen.
Following the Dawn Service, traditional Gunfire breakfasts brought everyone together where hot coffee, warm meals and camaraderie where shared.
Service personnel and their descendants proudly participated in the ANZAC Day marches, with many community members lining the streets as a mark of remembrance and appreciation.
Shire President Kerry White said ANZAC Day has always been well attended across all four of the Shire’s towns with national pride and community spirit strong throughout the Pilbara.
“It is great to see our community come together to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who continue to serve,” said Cr White. “Seeing families and descendants of service personnel participate throughout the day highlights our sense of national pride, ensuring that the ANZAC spirit lives on throughout the generations.”
Chevron Community Liaison Officer Shawn Heiderich said that as an ex-serviceman, he was moved to see such a strong turn-out at the Onslow dawn service.
“It was great to have a group from the Wheatstone LNG Plant join the community service in Onslow, whilst at Ashburton North a dawn service and gunfire breakfast were held for the rest of the workforce to commemorate the occasion,” Mr Heiderich said.
The favourite traditions continued into the afternoon with lively games of two-up, barbecues and plenty of Anzac biscuits. Pannawonica gave the day an extra Aussie boost with a family cricket match, enjoyed by both players and spectators.
The Shire of Ashburton would like to acknowledge the support of our partners and community groups who work together to make the ANZAC Day commemorations possible in each town.
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