I awoke to the drone of bagpipes and instantly felt sentimental. I quickly got ready and walked at a brisk pace up to the pub.
Annerley is trying to taunt me by pointing out how close everything is. Soon a gym will open up around the corner, restaurants, train, bike path. You cannot sway me Annerley! I shall not stay.
The march started precisely at 7am. There were two cars filled with veterans followed by a bagpipe band then more veterans, then schools, girl guides and anyone with someone to remember. I walked along adjacent to them on the footpath.
The interesting thing about marching down Ipswich Rd, is the 3 lanes of traffic each way. The police had one of the lanes open to traffic, including an ambulance with alarm blaring, which worked fine until “Lane ends. Merge Left”. I thought the cars were going to start honking. Luckily the police stepped in and blocked off the whole road for the rest of the march.
The bagpipe band played such hits as “Wheeze drone wheeze” and “Drone wheeze drone”. I can never distinguish different songs. But as I was walking along I caught a riff and realised hey! they’re playing Waltzing Matilda. It was a very strange version but all the notes were there. I felt very proud to be Scottish walking beside (but over there…no, bit more… yep that’s it) a bagpipe band. It was only later when I was reading the day’s program that I found out they were an Irish band! bah.
I remember when I was little and I would be marching in the parades in Pambula that at the end, all the kiddlings would get front row centre for the rest of the proceedings. Poor little guys were relegated to the rear of this one.
Other than that it worked well. They had a PA system so everyone could be heard well. It was sunny. It wasn’t overly long. Was good.
I always find singing hymns somewhat comical. Here is a group of paper with lyrics written down on paper. Orchestra playing. No one actually knowing the tune except for the loud church going old lady at the front. Everyone else sort of humming/mumbling the words. At least everyone knows (or should know) the words to the first verse of the national anthem. I wonder if they still drum it into the kiddlings every morning of primary school.
There was a bit of drama during the ceremony, one girl actually fainted and an ambulance came tearing into the park alarm blaring during the laying of the wreaths.
Even with all the drama, the whole shebang was tenfold betterer than the Anzac ceremony I went to in Wollongong a few years back, I might try and see if i have the blog post on my myspace. I’m a sucker for tradition though and I do so love the bugle part. The “Last Post” brings a tear to the eye.
They shall not grow old
As we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them
Lest we forget.
