ANZAC DAY

ANZAC Day 2019
ANZAC Day on Thursday 25 April 2019 ia our next event.
Details to be finalised. Most likely to be held at the Natal Mounted Rifles site with a Memorial Service to be held at NMR's Memorial Wall followed by refreshments at the Officer's Mess before a light meal at the Dixie Adams Hall.

ANZAC Day 2016
Once again the commemorative Service was held at Natal Mounted Rifles Headquarters in Durban.

This by all accounts was the best planned and successful ANZAC Day event to date. Thanks must go to the Officers of NMR and ANZA's Hon. Strategic Planner David Brosnihan.

AGENDA
The moving Commemorative Service was conducted by the Reverend Clive Jacobsen at 18h30 with wreath laying from many military units in South Africa, ANZA, the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions and the Mayor of eThekwini all laid wreaths together with the Military units mentioned.

It was moving to note that Edward Jackson provided memorial crosses he received from school children in Australia that had personally written messages to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in helping to build the free Nations of Australia and New Zealand.

During the wreath laying the bagpipes were played by Anthony Patterson and during the service there was a break when Gabriel Joseph played Reveille and then after a brief pause The Last Post.

On completion of the service those staying for the dinner were piped into the


ANZA's ANZAC Day Memorial Plaque

Officer's Mess for pre dinner drinks and signing the attendance register.
Next the dignitaries were piped into the Dixie Adams function room followed by many ANZAC Day supporters and the piper, Anthony Patterson was paid.

A sumptuous buffet dinner followed catered for by "Peppers and Pans". This was very well received.

What followed was a short and emotional talk from Edward Jackson, the 1st Secretary from the Australian High Commission. Edward is also a reservist Major with the Australian Defence Force. He was impressed with the turnout of several of the South African military units including the NMR who to the best of our knowledge is the oldest military reservist unit in South Africa.

It is worth noting that ANZA is a non profit social association that respects the sacrifices made at Gallipoli by both Australian and New Zealand defence forces. It follows that we appreciate that Natal Mounted Rifles in Durban provides us with a venue to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Tony Park, Bobby Freeman
and Gary Stone

We were then entertained by our guest speaker, Tony Park who besides being an Australian author of many books both fiction and non fiction Tony is also a reservist Major in the Australian Defence Force. Tony gave an interesting talk on the persona of all the living Australian Victoria Cross holders all of who he has had the pleasure of meeting.

Tony and his wife Nicola first visited Southern Africa in 1995 for what was intended to be one of several adventures on their wish list. They were "bitten" by something and now have a home close to Kruger National Park where they usually spend 6 months or more each year.

One could say that this was a "Major" event.

Everyone moved back to the Officer's Mess for cheese and biscuits plus coffee or tea to cap off what was a very special evening.

No argument here!

More images to follow

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ANZAC Day 2015 (100th Anniversary)
Anzac Day 2015 Commemorative Service and Dinner was again held at the Natal Mounted Rifles headquarters at NMR Road on 25thApril 2016.

Images from the ANZAC Day Memorial Service and Dinner - 25th April 2015

Held at Natal Mounted Rifles Headquarters to honour the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landing 25th April 1915.