Rochester remembers

By Emily Donohoe

Apr 28, 2025

On Friday, April 25, hundreds commemorated Anzac Day with Rochester RSL Sub-Branch events, including a march down Gillies St. Photos: Emily Donohoe. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Returned service personnel proudly marched, wearing their medals and those of their family members. Photo by Emily Donohoe

The community of Rochester and surrounds gathered to reflect and commemorate on Anzac Day.

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Anzac Day began one day early with a dusk service, held at the Nanneella Soldiers’ Memorial Hall by the Rochester RSL Sub-Branch

Golden City Pipe Band kept time and led the way on foot. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Emergency services, including the SES, CFA, Rochester Fire Brigade Juniors, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police, participated in the march. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Friday, April 25 was marked with a dawn service at Rochester Cemetery, where Australian flags had been placed at the graves of veterans by their families.

Rochester RSL Sub-Branch hosted the service and the Lions Club catered a gunfire breakfast for attendees.

Historic vehicles guided marchers along Gillies St. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Rochester Secondary College, Rochester Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School and Moama Anglican Grammar School involved their staff and students. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Beginning at 10.45am, returned service personnel and their families, school representatives, Scouts, emergency services and Army cadets marched along Gillies St.

The procession was led by the Golden City Pipe Band and heritage vehicles, taking the hundreds-strong group to the Rochester RSL memorial gardens for the commemorative service.

Warrant Officer Steven Foster and Leading Aircraftwoman Kerry Foster, whose military careers featured in last week's Campaspe News, were in attendance. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Led by Rochester RSL Sub-Branch vice president John Roberts, representatives from across the community participated in the service, including Rochester Christian Fellowship Pastor Anne Strate and St Joseph’s Catholic Church Rochester parish priest, veteran and RSL member, Father Ashley Caldow.

Many young people also supported the day, including Rochester Junior Fire Brigade member Ruby Ettershank, Rochester Secondary College school captain Payton Tiller, Rochester Primary School student Lacey Murray and St Joseph’s Primary School student Darcie Acocks.

Rochester 1st Scouts Group was tasked with raising the flags from half-mast. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Guest speaker Oakley Tarrant with "grandma" Hilma Sinclair, sister-in-law of Colin Sinclair, the namesake of the Colin Sinclair Scholarship that brought Oakley to Kokoda in 2024. Photo by Emily Donohoe

The event’s guest speaker was fellow Rochester Secondary College school captain Oakley Tarrant, who reflected on his journey in Kokoda last year as part of the Colin Sinclair Scholarship.

As is tradition, the Last Post and The Rouse were played, along with the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.

Rochester RSL Sub-Branch vice president John Roberts and president Cameron Lovering (right) present Simon Pearson (left) with the Spirit of Anzac Award. Photo by Emily Donohoe

A unique Rochester honour, the 2025 Spirit of Anzac Award was presented to Simon Pearson for his contributions to the community in a range of volunteer capacities.

The second scholarship was also awarded by the Rochester 1st Scouts Group to Starley Stewart, first presented on Remembrance Day in 2024.

Rochester 1st Scouts Group scholarship recipient Starley Stewart and Rochester RSL Sub-Branch member and Vietnam veteran Greg Walkley. Photo by Emily Donohoe

The Scouts also welcomed new members, holding a short investiture ceremony towards the end of the service.

Wreaths were laid by local churches, schools, emergency services, Rochester RSL, Rochester Business Network, the Ballendella Red Cross, CWA, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Probus Club, Australia Day Committee, Rochester T.O.W.N. Group, REDHS, Rochester Football Netball Club, Rochester Historical and Pioneer Society, Rochester Senior Citizens Club and Rochester Motoring Club.