OCAV Pays Respects to all Returned Service Men and Women

OCAV will join all Australians on ANZAC Day in paying respects to our returned service men and women. There are several men and women within our own ‘ranks’ who we acknowledge on Monday, April 25.

Avis Wadmore, a resident at Braeside Park for 17 years, is one such service woman. Avis (pictured) joined the Air Force in 1944 and served as a teleprinter operator for two years. The Wadmore family certainly did their bit; when Avis, now 89, was in the Air Force her father and sister were serving in the Army. Her father had also served as a Light Horseman in World War One. 

On ANZAC Day Leith Park resident Don Simpson will open the village’s hall door, as he has for the past 15 years. But April 25 isn’t like every other day of the year for Don, a World War Two veteran

Leith Park residents will pay their respects to all those who served our country, including residents Maurie Schneider and John McCrohan. The Leith Park service begins at 10.30am and more than 60 people are expected to attend.

Many of our Braeside Park residents will participate in the local Berwick Anzac Day service and members of the Activities Committee will lay a wreath at the service on behalf of OCAV. On this day we pay our respects to the many Braeside Park residents who have served our country, including Avis and Mr Leslie Finlayson. A sausage sizzle will also be held.

At Rushall Park Uniting Church Minister Ian Collings will run the 11am service in the community centre, as he has for many years. The local funeral parlour donates a wreath each year. At the service the Australian flag is displayed, the Last Post is played and afterwards morning tea is provided.  Residents will pay respects to returned soldiers including Kenelm Creighton, George Young and John Finlayson.

Many Currie Park residents will have the opportunity to participate in one of the local Euroa services at dawn or later in the morning. We pay our respects to veterans including Jim Legg.

OCAV acknowledges all returned service men and women in our four villages, and would love to hear of any not mentioned in this story.