General News
27 April, 2023
Bealiba remembers on Anzac Day
Bealiba’s community turned out in force for its Anzac Day march and service, as well as to celebrate the life of local veteran Dave Trower, who passed away at the age of 99 in October. The community saw the traditional march down Main Street to...
Bealiba’s community turned out in force for its Anzac Day march and service, as well as to celebrate the life of local veteran Dave Trower, who passed away at the age of 99 in October.
The community saw the traditional march down Main Street to the town cenotaph, before a large crowd gathered inside the Bealiba Town Hall for hymns, as well as stories from Mr Trower’s experiences in war, as told by family members Alan, Beverley and Eric Trower.
Organiser Kristy Lea said it was thrilling to have the Bealiba community rally around the event.
“We seem to be getting stronger and stronger every year. It was a matter of getting the whole community back together after COVID and supporting it,” she said.
“Just to see the kids and to have them march alongside veterans and having them mingle and appreciate the day, and to remember their grandparents and great-grand-parents is just amazing.”
Ms Lea said sharing experiences such as Mr Trower’s will allow the Bealiba community to celebrate its people.
“I think where we will be heading in the future is getting locals and their stories out there, it brings the community together a lot more when we’re talking about them,” she said.
Bealiba veteran Bernie Smith also fondly remembered Mr Trower as the community celebrated him.
“It was a very good march this year. The crowds keep coming back, and it was a wonderful service, giving our tribute to Dave Trower, a past veteran,” he said.
“When I was a kid growing up, Dave was a local farmer and we knew him as a farmer who went to war. But we had no idea what he had gone through and his experience in the war. We owed him a great deal of gratitude.”
