Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Members statements

Anzac Day

Ms GREEN (Yan Yean) (14:57:047:): In the 20 years that I have had the privilege of representing the communities of Yan Yean my favourite community day of each of those years has been Anzac Day: from the dawn service at the Doreen cenotaph on the grounds of Laurimar Primary School—the only school in the country to host a cenotaph—to the mid-morning services among the autumn leaves of Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge, followed by a solemn afternoon march to both memorials in the town of Whittlesea and also events in Wallan and Beveridge and at times Upper Plenty.

I want to place on record my heartfelt thanks to the many great blokes and fantastic women who year in and year out plan, organise and deliver these wonderful events in honour of the fallen and our serving personnel. I also want to thank the local florists in Diamond Creek, Doreen, Hurstbridge, Whittlesea and Wallan for the fabulous wreaths that I have had the privilege of laying over many years. I will sorely miss sharing these annual Anzac services with Rusty Chenhall; Noel Morse; Wes Ridgway; Denis Potts; Peter Guarta; John Parker; Jason McBean; Noelene Park; the late Des Vincent; the late George Crouch; father and son pipers Steve and Stuart; the Diamond Valley Brass Band; scouts; the Doreen, Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge, Wattle Glen, Whittlesea and Yarrambat fire brigades; the Whittlesea and Nillumbik SES units; service clubs, including Rotary and Lions; bowls clubs at Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge and Whittlesea; and so many more. A special shout-out to all the local schools who participate on a public holiday to keep the Anzac spirit alive, and this includes all government schools throughout the Yan Yean electorate, the Catholic schools and the non-government schools all united together to remember the fallen.

This year on Anzac eve I developed a rotten migraine, so I am devastated to have missed my last Anzac Day as the member for Yan Yean, but heartfelt thanks to those who laid wreaths on my behalf, including Lauren Cathegy and John Parker.