The below message is from the West Australia Chairman of SAMVOA after the 2010 ANZAC Day parade in Perth:
It was with great pride and humility that we marched in what was our 5th Anzac Day Parade in memory of our countrymen who made the supreme sacrifice.
Some of our Veterans attended the annual Dawn Service in Kings Park, after which we assembled for a Gunfire breakfast in Stirling Gardens, later forming up in St Georges Terrace, Perth.
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There were 24 Veterans on parade, some coming from as far afield as Lancelin and Bunbury to take part. Pride of place was afforded to Graham Casely, who served with the South African Air Force in North Africa and Italy during World War 2.
The well known South African radio, television commentator and South African Airways pilot, Sakkie van der Merwe also joined us for the march. It was the first time that he had marched and was very impressed by the large turnout of spectators and how the Australians honour their fallen.
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All were neatly attired and the drill was of the highest order with many favourable comments being heard from the spectators as to how smart the South Africans looked. Well done to all of you. I was extremely proud of you all and you have all done SAMVOA and our Fallen proud.
The following Veterans attended the parade all of whom described it as our best ever.
Mark Coldrey, Peter Colvin, Riaan De Villiers, Ron Fouche, Leon Johnson, Eric Le Grange, Michael Lord, John McCrum, Alf Naude, Philip Nimam, Ben Opperman, Garth Pienaar, Shaun Porter, William Rankin, Donovan Roets, Dawn Weller, Gerhard Slabber, Johan van der Merwe, Sakkie van der Merwe, Kevin van der Mescht, Wynand van Staden, Alfie van Zijl, Graham Casely and Bruce Robinson.
A sincere thank you for making the effort to attend and to those that were unable to make it, we look forward to you joining us next year, you will not be disappointed.
Garth A Pienaar
Chairman SAMVOA WA