Delene Emanuel is justifiably proud of her family’s history.
On ANZAC Day at the Berwick high street memorial, she sat a few rows from the front wearing a picture of her father, Cliff Harry Emanuel – known as ‘The Admiral’ among his RSL mates.
Mr Emanuel served in the navy for six years, having been called up before World War Two. He continued a tradition of sorts: his own father was one of the first 500 to make up the Australian Navy, Ms Emanuel explained. Her mother also served “in her own way”, helping to build the first Lancaster bomber.
Ms Emanuel now wears her father’s image each ANZAC Day to remind people of the human faces behind the stories and legends.
“I like to think that little kids look at it and recognise that it was a person, and if kids look at me I do tell them ‘this was my father and he was in the navy’. And I like to see that parents are bringing their kids along and the ANZAC spirit lives on,” she said.
Children were among those who marched down the Berwick high street in its ANZAC Day parade, and also in the crowds that packed the village to applaud the veterans and their families in the parade.
As the service got underway, voices swelled in unison the sing the hymn Abide With Me. Speeches noted that it’s going to be a big year for the Berwick RSL Sub-Branch, which will celebrate its centenary later this year. September also marks 80 years since the beginning of World War Two.
In an inspiring guest speech, Lieutenant Colonel David Hughes urged those gathered to embody the values of the ANZAC spirit and use it to improve themselves – whether through volunteering or helping people in some other way. It seemed many schools, community groups, families and businesses had already taken this to heart as they laid floral tributes at the foot of the memorial.
But the highlight for many was the gun salute which thundered back up the Berwick hill, leaving smiles of delight on the faces of children and their parents.
Reflecting on the service, Ms Emanuel smiled too.
“I love ANZAC Day,” she said.
