Lest We Forget: 2024 ANZAC Day Service

To honour the sacrifices made by the ANZACs of Indian descent during World War 1, the Australia India Cenotaph Committee, a project of Hindu Council Australia, Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch, 202 Army Cadet Unit – Blacktown, and Hornsby Shire Council held the ANZAC Day service at Anzac Jawan Cenotaph, Cherrybrook on April 21.

The service commenced with landowner acknowledgment, the mounting of the guards and lowering of the flags followed by the prologue by Mr. George Main President, Hornsby RSL Sub-branch. The Prayer of Thanksgiving, Prayer for the King and Prayer for the Nation were presented respectively by Mr. Nitin Jayraman, Secretary of Hindu Council(NSW), Mr. Nitesh Sethi AICC Member, and CTHS School Executives. The hymn (Abide with me) was sung by all in honour of the ANZACs.

Mr. Sai Paravastu, National President of the Hindu Council of Australia; Col. Virender Sahni; Mr. Nirav Kumar, Deputy Consul from the Consul General India Office in Sydney; Hon. Philip Ruddock AO, Mayor of Hornsby shire; Mr. Murray Norman, CEO of Faith NSW; Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC; Hon. Mark Hodges MP Asst. Shadow Minister for Western Sydney; and Hon. Matt Kean MP, Member for Hornsby and Shadow Minister for Health delivered the ANZAC day messages.

In attendance were Mr Darren Bark, Co-Chair, Better Balanced Futures (Faith NSW), Clr. Sreeni Pillamarri (Hornsby Shire), Clr. Reena Jethi (Hillshire) and Clr. Barbara Ward (Kur-ring-gai).

At the Anzac Jawan cenotaph, wreaths were laid by the Hornsby RSL Subbranch, veterans, Australian Army Cadets HQ, Hindu Council National & NSW Teams, AICC, dignitaries, community organisations, students, and members of the public.

Mr. Jagdish Trivedi – Gujarati Samaj offered religious prayers for Hindu faiths.
Mr. Harbir Singh Bhatia – Turramurra Gurudwara offered Sikh Prayers.
The National Anthems of Australia and India were sung by the students of IABBV Hindi School. The Ode was read by Mr. John Zeller, VP of Hornsby RSL Subbranch.
A minute of silence was observed in honour of the ANZACs followed by the Last post. The Reveille sounded by Bugler Mr. Yasith Polwaththe of Cherrybrook Technology High School and raising of the National Flags by CTHS Students Vice Captains Ms. Scarlett Classen and Mr. James Bekris.

Mr. Anand Manickam, Vice President of Hindu Council(NSW) shared the vote of thanks. The service was concluded by sharing some delicious refreshments with all the guests.

The whole service was managed by Australia India Cenotaph Committee with the help of Lt. (AAC) Natlie Jackson, Mrs. Mala Mehta OAM, Hindu Council officials, volunteers and community members.