Lest we forget

As ANZAC Day approaches, communities across the Ovens Valley will once again gather in the stillness of dawn, united in remembrance.

In towns both large and small, from our local memorials to the quiet country cenotaphs, there is a shared understanding of what this day means. It is not just a date on the calendar, but a deeply personal moment for many families. Stories of service, sacrifice and loss are woven through generations, carried in old photographs, medals, and the names etched into stone across our region.

In the Ovens Valley, that connection runs deep. We are a community that values service, not only remembering those who have served, but supporting the veterans who continue to walk among us. Their strength, humility and quiet resilience are a powerful reminder of what has been given for the freedoms we often take for granted.

ANZAC Day asks us to pause. To reflect not only on the past, but on the responsibility we all share to carry forward the values of courage, mateship and sacrifice.

As the sun rises this ANZAC Day, may we stand together in gratitude and respect, ensuring that the legacy of those who served is never forgotten.

Lest we forget.