AFLW star player and army officer Jess Allan will be one of the guest speakers at the annual dawn service at Beachport on Anzac Day.
She needs no introduction to a seaside audience as she spent her formative years in Beachport when her family operated the local hotel.
Lieutenant Allan opted for a career with the Australian Defence Force as a teenager and soon after completing her studies at Millicent High School.
She is perhaps best known for her involvement with the AFLW as she made her debut with the Adelaide Crows in 2018.
Her football career has been interrupted by her interstate army training, but she did make 14 appearances with Greater Western Sydney.
A transfer back to her home state in 2023 meant Lt Allan could resume playing with the Adelaide Crows and alongside her elder sister – triple premiership player and All Australian Sarah Allan.
The younger Allan played 13 games with the Crows last season.
She will be one of two guest speakers at the Beachport community event.
Lt Allan will speak on “What Anzac means to me” and will also recite the Ode of Remembrance.
The second guest speaker will be Vietnam War veteran Greg Carter from Bairnsdale, Victoria.
For the last 19 years has provided a voluntary retreat on his property, for both veterans and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.
Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club member Bob Grieve is the chief organiser of the commemoration and will be the master of ceremonies.
Mr Grieve said there were still a few matters to be finalised.
The flag party comprises Jenny Bishop (Indigenous flag), Beachport police officer Brevet Sargeant Rob Smith (Australian flag) and Toni McGrath (New Zealand flag).
Beachport Primary students will do the ‘Welcome to Country’ while the dawn ceremony will be preceded by the playing of traditional laments by bagpiper Janet Bellinger.
Prayers will be offered by Anglican Church lay reader J.L. “Fred” Smith and wreaths and floral tributes will be laid by local organisations and individuals.
At the conclusion of the service, a hot breakfast will be served by the Lions Cub.
