Local veteran’s granddaughter follows footsteps on ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day will be extra special for one local veteran this year as he prepares to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his newly enlisted granddaughter at a Dawn Service in the City of Parramatta.

Epping RSL sub-Branch president and veteran, John Curdie OAM, said he was incredibly proud that his granddaughter has been inspired to follow in his footsteps and join the defence force.

“We always attend Dawn Service together, but this will be our first now she is a fully-trained Australian defence force member, and the newest and youngest member of our Epping RSL sub-Branch,” Mr Curdie said.

“ANZAC Day is a big day, where we all pause to remember those who have served – and particularly those who have given their lives. It can be hard to understand, but when we look at what’s happening in Ukraine, it gives people a sense of the price of liberty.”

Mr Curdie, who served in the RAAF, and his granddaughter will join thousands across the local area honouring Australian servicemen and women this ANZAC Day. City of Parramatta and Epping RSL sub-Branches will host COVID-safe ANZAC Day services with the support of City of Parramatta Council.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said it’s a great opportunity to honour all those who have served our nation.

“ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most sacred days of commemoration – a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. It’s also a time for veterans to reconnect, remember mates and share stories,” Cr Davis said.  

ANZAC Day – one of Australia’s most significant national days – began as a commemoration of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War One. It has grown to become an important day to pay respect to all Australians who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

City of Parramatta RSL sub-Branch president and veteran Ron Grace encourages communities to “embrace the ANZAC spirit” this year by attending a local service.

“ANZAC Day means remembering sacrifices made by all those involved in the First World War and subsequent wars. It’s the preservation of our democratic and peaceful society,” Mr Grace said.

Local ANZAC Day Services:

Epping RSL sub-Branch Sunday Service (capacity limits): When: Sunday, 24 April at 2pm Where: Boronia Park Cenotaph, Epping

City of Parramatta RSL sub-Branch Dawn Service: When: Monday, 25 April 2022 at 4.30am Where: War Memorial and Cenotaph, Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta

Epping RSL sub-Branch Dawn Service: When: Monday, 25 April 2022 at 6am Where: War Memorial and Cenotaph, Forest Park, Epping or in the case of inclement weather The Epping Club, 45-47 Rawson Street, Epping

The City of Parramatta pays special tribute to Epping and City of Parramatta RSL sub-Branches, for their longstanding history of supporting the community, as well as all past and present service personnel.

“I invite everyone to attend a local COVID-safe ANZAC Day service or commemorate the day at home by ‘lighting up the dawn’, baking ANZAC biscuits or watching live coverage of the services across the country,” Cr Davis said.

To mark ANZAC Day, Council’s Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre has created an ANZAC Day online experience, which features photos and stories about local soldiers.

For details of the ANZAC Day services and access to the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre’s online ANZAC Day Experience, please visit the City of Parramatta ANZAC Day page.