Last Monday, the Chauvel Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride going through rural NSW was shocked by the enormous support Junee showed. It was a fantastic turn out for the schoolchildren who all were interested in the trek.
It was also a huge turnout for the adults lining the street as the parade came through.
Junee Mayor Cr Bob Callow and President of the Junee RSL Sub-Branch Greg Zakharoff greeted the visitors as Michael McCormack gave a speech, setting out the history of General Sir Harry Chauvel and the Light Horse.
Pat Leary and others are taking on this endeavour, telling the Junee Independent that Junee has been a highlight of the ride so far.
“The day went really really well. We had a great turnout of kids here and it was all good. When we rode away from the collection of kids at Junee we both said that was the best turnout of kids we have had and they were really interested in what we were talking about and they got into the theme of things.”
“As far as the guys were concerned it was probably the best turnout we have had. The tour has blown me away a bit by the response and the backing and the support that we have got. Even the donations that people have donated has been fantastic. It’s a lot bigger than I ever expected it to be.”
“It’s great as the idea of this is to try and remember the guys that fought years ago and there is just so much of that spirit still alive, it’s fantastic. For me it’s about passing the mantle on. If we don’t pass this mantle on then those guys that fought for this country and gave up so much, their memory will disappear. Some of the kids from the Pony Club have already shown an interest in joining the Light Horse and that is fantastic as that means that those people are not going to be forgotten for the deeds that they did, they will still life on.”
“The Club is an amazing facility and the guys at the RSL couldn’t do enough for us. I had one phone call to Greg Zakharoff and then he just updated me regularly on how things were going and what he had organised and I didn’t have to lift a finger. They ran it all.”
“I just want to really thank Junee for putting on what they did. We laid a wreath there and there was a little service there as well. It was a great turnout. To Junee, thank you.”
Greg Zakharoff himself was pleased that they were able to give the welcome they deserved.
“They were over the moon with the reception they got here in Junee, especially when they left the Junee Hotel and turned the corner to go down to the Cenotaph and saw about 200 children waiting for them, a number they never expected. They laid their wreaths at the Cenotaph and re-mounted and we played the Last Post at the Cenotaph and the horses walked down to the Junee Ex-Services Club with the children following and the interaction between the riders, the horses and the children was just exceptional.”
“The guys on the horses took the time to talk to the children and explain what it was all about. What the different gear on the horses was for and those types of things. Some of the questions that the kids put up were really really intelligent questions. I think everybody got something out of it, which is what it is all about.”
“They may not have another ride for ten years, but in that time these kids will say “I was there then and I remember that. That is what it is all about, sparking that little bit of curiosity.”
“For those that are interested in it, it means a lot. People came up and said they had relatives that were part of the Light Horse in the First World War and it’s great to see this type of thing happening as you just don’t see it any more. It just brings back memories and sparks curiosity. As I said to the riders, at the end of the day when they are finished, they have completed something that they have wanted to do, they have engaged people and hopefully they received some fulfilment out of it too.”
-Jack Murray
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