Picture shows a previous ANZAC Day surrounding Speers Point Cenotaph.
In 2018 for the first time since 1935 the the Speers Point Cenotaph held a lonely vigil as the ANZAC day dawn march and service was relocated to Speers Point Park due to heighten concerns towards terrorist acts.
I have my own opinions about the changes, but the RSL worked hard to make the event work – and it did. A wonderful morning! (great Job Lyle Dalton (RSL) and Bruce Leverton (H&C Scouts)).
In the 1970’s I marched down Main Road Boolaroo to the Speers Point Cenotaph as part of the (Warners Bay, becoming) North Lake Macquarie CEBS. I can remember it became a regular thing to sleep over at All Saints Anglican Church Hall the night before the march. Over the last 10 or so years I have continued the tradition, as has my family, as part of Warners Bay Scouts.
During the last ANZAC days James Hoffmann and then I accompanied the Mayor of Lake Maccquarie as she took the parade’s salute. James over the last 2 years has helped carry the RSL flags at the front of the parade as part of North Lake Macquarie Rovers.
According to the Lord Mayor around 6000 turned out to attend the 2018 event, this, the last marking the ‘Centenary of Anzac’.
Photo from The Boolaroo Speers Point cenotaph Facebook page