“… the ANZAC had no tradition to rely on or defend. They did something greater - they created one. A new story for a new nation. It is the story of us all and it belongs to us all because they were men of every background and belief. But in this they were united - they were volunteers, every single one. Free citizens from a free land.”

As part of sharing Australia’s story, the ANZAC Day Centenary Committee will host a lunch at Nambucca RSL Club on Saturday November 22. It will begin at 11 am with drinks in the RSL’s Down Under Bar, and these are included in the ticket’s price of $35. Also included are Cassegrain wines served with lunch; funds raised from ticket sales will assist with next year’s official commemorations of ANZAC.

Tables of eight can be booked by those coming in a group, and tickets, which are available from the RSL, should be purchased early as they are limited to 200.

The committee is delighted to have secured Senator Michael Ronaldson as guest speaker. Sen Ronaldson is the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and is the Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC. He will be joined by Nambucca Shire mayor Rhonda Hoban and the Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker.

The committee plans to have a school student marching for each of the Nambucca Valley’s ANZACs and as part of the commemorations each pupil will be given an ANZAC information pack.

Buses will bring people to Bowraville from all over the Nambucca Valley for the march and money raised will help to fund these and other initiatives.

Part of the fundraising at the lunch will be the sale of commemorative Cassegrain wine packs. These will be for sale at $30 and include a red and white wine as well as a bottle of port.

n All are invited to be among the 200 sharing Australia’s proud story of ANZAC at Nambucca RSL on November 22. The cut off date for ticket purchases is November 17.