Community
28 April, 2023
Port Fairy remembers
PORT Fairy local James Kelly led an emotional ANZAC Day service in the town on Tuesday.
Mr Kelly, who served with the Australian Navy in Afghanistan, spoke of the importance of mental health issues for service men and women and of the difficulties faced while transitioning back into “everyday society”.
Mr Kelly’s own grandfather, who was also a soldier, ultimately became a lifelong alcoholic. Following Mr Kelly’s opening remarks,
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Karen Foster spoke of the first Anzac the day was originally only associated with Gallipoli, but has since evolved into an acknowledgement of all major wars and conflicts of the 20th century.
Cr Foster reflected on her extreme pride in the Anzac Day tradition and how, as a mother herself, she could not imagine the “abject terror” mother’s must face upon saying goodbye to a son or daughter departing for service.
Barbara Brooks recited a touching poetic tribute and the Port Fairy Citizens’ Band performed hymns as a time of quiet reflection. Students from St Patrick’s and Port Fairy Consolidated School took part in the service, along with veteran Doug Nolte who recited the Ode of Remembrance and Army veteran Colin Lang who also addressed the crowd.
