Nyngan remembers

Originally published in The Nyngan Weekly

The Nyngan and broader Bogan shire community commemorated ANZAC Day on Monday, with services held across the shire.

The dawn service in Nyngan was well attended and a crowd of more than 150 people made it out to the 11am service following the march from the RSL to the Nyngan cenotaph.

The march was led by the riderless horse, with a backwards boot hooked into its stirrups. The tradition honours those who lost their lives, taking from an ancient tradition where a warrior would be buried with their horse. Today, the backwards boot symbolises the horse’s riders has died in battle.

Nyngan RSL sub-branch president Derek Francis lead both the dawn and 11am services in Nyngan, with speeches given by both Nyngan High School captains, Tsitsi Dhedheya and Jack Buchanan, and Bogan shire mayor Glen Neill.

“We recognised more than a hundred thousand Australian servicemen and women who have lost their lives in military operations carried out. We remember the voices that are falling silent and those who carried their wounds to the rest of their natural life. We celebrate the human spirit, the spirit of ANZAC,” said Miss Dhedheya.

In her speech Miss Dhedheya reflected on the Frontier Wars and the battles faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“I acknowledge recognise their ingenuity and courage as these men lost their lives in a fight for their land and right to live.”

Miss Dhedheya also called for recognition for women who served both away and at home, whose impact is so often forgotten when reflecting on Australia’s military involvements.

“I respect the selflessness, courage, and valour and unquestionably dedication to each other at the ANZACs displayed.”

Following was Jack Buchanan, who too called for better recognition and reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when reflecting on Australian wartimes.

In an impassioned speech, Mr Buchanan condemned the actions of the Australian government and their failure to recognise First Nations people not only as veterans, but as people.

“We must not forget the safety and privilege we feel in our own lives is thanks to their bravery. We must also not forget the injustices that have been committed in the face of the ANZAC name because when some of those soldiers came home wrecked by sacrificing conflicts, they were not allowed to join their fellow Australians in an RSL,” said Mr Buchanan.

“When some of those soldiers came home, they were vilified by the community. When some of those soldiers came home, they were not considered human beings by their government.

“They gave so much for our future as a nation and yet, we took everything that they had left.

“And we will never truly be able to atone for the sins of our nation has committed against First Nation soldiers, and First Nations people but recognition of this fact and of the sacrifice they have made for our nation without some absurd rationalisation is the first step to ensure that every Australian gets to enjoy the peace that the ANZACs fought for.”

Together the captains encouraged the crowds to take time to reflect on the broader meanings of ANZAC Day and to remember the bad along with the good.

Mayor Neill was the final person to give a speech at the ceremony, and too reflected on women’s involvements in conflict and the “everyday” heroes that the ANZACs were.

While reflecting on the authoritarian enemies the ANZACs were facing, Mr Neill told the story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, who became folk law for his bravery. Working as an ambulance officer, he, with his donkey, moved wounded soldiers to the beach so they could be evacuated from the beaches of Gallipoli. He continued his work some three weeks while under fire before he was killed.

Mr Neill also took time to reflect on a Nyngan hero, Arthur Charles Hall, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions on the Western Front during WWI.

“Born, 11th of August 1894, Arthur Charles Hall, was a graziers son, a soldier, and later promoted to a lieutenant who was raised on Glenelg station on the outskirts of Nyngan. Arthur enlisted in the Australian Imperial forces in Dubbo on the third of April 1916 and was posted to the 54th Battalion in France in World War I.

“Arthur Hall and his battalion were engaged in the attack of Peronne, France, where he alone, crossed the enemy, shot four of the opposition, and captured nine of their soldiers. He located many points of resistance, advanced numerous attacks, and rescued a mate under short fire.

“For hire tireless courage and bravery, he was awarded the highest honour of the Victoria Cross.”

Following the speeches, wreaths were laid at the cenotaph while the crowd took time to quietly reflect.

After the formal proceedings were finished, the parade left from the cenotaph and the crowd dispersed, with many heading to the ANZAC Day races before returning to the RSL later that night for a few rounds of two up.