Below message from the SAMVOA Victoria Chairman after a Melbourne 2011 ANZAC Day parade
We met at the Waverley RSL in Glen Waverley at 09h30 for our step-off at 10h00. The morning was perfect and the crowds were gathering to attend the parade and wreath laying at the Cenotaph in the Glen Waverley Library Gardens.
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As has become our custom, a wreath was laid on behalf of SAMVOA. The photograph above left shows Cliff Styles, Karl Brown, Mike Black, Alan Crawford and Kevin Edwards. I thank Cliff, Karl, Alan and Kevin for their support. Hopefully next year we can double our numbers in the march. This will allow us to have in attendance enough members that we can have the SAMVOA banner on display.
The march was led by Drum Major Bob Semple of the Hawthorn Pipe Band. Bob is one of the Rats of Tobruk and was recently interviewed on Channel news as part of the 70th Anniversary of the Rats of Tobruk.
The ANZAC address was delivered by Dr. Ruban Ambikaipalan winner of the Waverley RSL Sub-Branch’s Norm A Smith Scholarship Award in 1998. He spoke of the unselfish contribution that were made by so many in the different theatres of war over the years and how we may be grateful to them for advancing democracy as we experience it in Australia.
After the Service we returned to the RSL for a “Gunfire Breakfast” enjoying the traditional Rum & Coffee followed by beers and pleasant camaraderie with wives and friends.
Mike Black
SAMVOA Victoria