Total attendance numbers at Anzac Day events in Millicent on Tuesday were well over 1000 as the community marked the passing of 108 years since the Gallipoli landings.
There were two exceptional additions to the usual Anzac Day arrangements.
There was a small band with bagpipes and drums and six mounted light horsemen to accompany the mid-morning march under clear skies along George Street.
The six horsemen came from Naracoorte and are part of the Light Horse re-enactment troupe.
RSL and community members appreciated these gestures along with a return to normality in other Anzac Day commemorations after three COVID-disrupted years.
Millicent also awoke to the overnight news that ex-local Vietnam War veteran Bill Hignett had been named as the RSL Anzac of the year for South Australia.
The day began with the dawn service at 6am at the Cross of Sacrifice and it was conducted before a gathering of 300 by RSL chaplain and retired minister Pastor Paul Hales.
The catafalque party at the dawn service was again mounted by cadets from 48 Army Cadet Unit in Mount Gambier.
The service was followed by the traditional gunfire breakfast with the assistance of the Millicent Lions Club at the nearby RSL war memorial clubrooms.
Over 100 meals were served, while coffee with a dash of special ingredient was served.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin donates the special ingredient to RSL sub-branches across the electorate ahead of each Anzac Day.
He has been meeting the cost of the 36 bottles of Bundy rum and the company has now offered to donate them in the future.
Later in the morning at 10.45am, the march commenced from the George Hotel.
As before, transport was provided in heritage vehicles for those who could not march the 300m route.
Marchers were joined by local uniformed members of SA Police, CFS and SES.
The march made its way along a closed George Street to the Cross of Sacrifice for a further service conducted by Pastor Paul at 11am.
There were around 700 present at the service which lasted 45 minutes.
Speeches were delivered by local soldier Sergeant Davey McDonald and Millicent RSL president Chris Mathias.
Both referred to the contribution to the Australian war effort of Indigenous soldiers such as Captain Reg Saunders.
Over 30 wreaths were laid by individuals, schools and other representatives of organisations.
Mr Pasin told The SE Voice that he was pleased that his schedule allowed him to visit Millicent.
“I have been at Naracoorte for the dawn service, Penola mid-morning and now Millicent,” Mr Pasin said.
“I also want to support the work of the RSL here in Millicent.
“Chris Mathias is a fantastic leader of the veteran community.”
The Baptist Church again conducted an Anzac Day service in the Diva Room at Boneham Aged Care Services.
Led by Di Sampson, Millicent’s four known World War II surviving veterans were present and wore their medals.
They are aged between 95 and 103.
