By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
ANZAC Day saw hundreds of people gather before dawn at the war memorial in Main Street, Nar Nar Goon.
Spilling onto the road, those present witnessed a respectful service, commemorating the efforts of Australians in conflict.
This year’s guest speaker was Major Paul Older who served with the Australian Army in Vietnam.
Major Older shared personal experiences as well as giving crowds an insight into wartime, from a medical point of view.
“In Vietnam we had well-equipped hospitals, helicopter evacuation of the injured, intensive care units and specialist medical care,” he said.
“None of this was available to the soldiers of World War I.”
Major Older went on to relay the story of the newly formed 3rd Australian General Hospital, which sailed from Circular Quay on the RMS Mooltan in May 1915.
“By 7 August, the hospital site on Lemnos had been pegged out, and some marquees were erected,” he said.
“At about 7pm on 8 August, 40 of the nurses were landed and, accompanied by a piper, were marched into their new tents.
“Before breakfast on 9 August, more than 200 wounded and sick had been admitted to the new hospital.
“Four days later there were more than 800 patients.”
Poems were read by local students before many took up the opportunity to lay wreaths at the war memorial.
A gunfire breakfast provided by the local CFA followed.
