Page 9 - BOL May20 Edition

ANZAC Remembrance 2020

From Vicki and Craig Fischle of Winifred St
“Since Anzac Day over 100 years ago, the first after the Great War,
there were no city marches or parades this year due to Covid-19,
just like it was back in 1919 for returning veterans because they
were battling the Spanish Flu pandemic. Though our streets
were empty once more, to all the unselfish heroes who gave
everything for us: the fallen & the returned veterans, our Anzacs
were not forgotten.

As dawn broke on Anzac Day 2020, I was humbled, proud
and impressed to see how many Village families were on their
driveways. Afterwards, as I walked the Village streets, I could
view all the creative ways that our neighbours around the Village
paid in respect to honour our Diggers. Darren & Peta Lythall of Alice Street, paused to remember
with pride the service of their respective Grandads who served
To All Residents you are to be congratulated. Well done!” (Very in WW2 as the “Lest We Forget” flag flew overhead in their Alice
proud Mango Hill Residents) St forecourt.

Bill Rika’s Dad & 4 Uncles served in WW2.
Formerly of Pakotai, a little town north of Auckland on New
Zealand’s North Island, Bill Rika and wife Pam made the Mango
Hill Village their home in 2002.

On Anzac Day, Bill reflected on the active service that his father
(John) and John’s 4 brothers Kea, Heke, Percy (Army) and Fred
Rod Arnold of Winifred Street, proudly displays his medals (Navy) saw in World War 2.
earned from 20 years’ service in the Australian Navy as a Radio
Operator, including two years active service on HMAS Vendetta Thankfully all 5 brothers returned home to the family farm,
in Vietnamese waters in 1969-1970. although Uncle Heke was badly wounded in a battle in northern
Italy in 1944. Bill recalls that in order for Uncle Heke to receive
“I have only missed one Anzac Day Parade before this year, but urgent medical attention, he was floated down stream, tied to a
I must say that the turnout by Residents up & down Winifred St log before being shipped home to recover from his wounds. Bill
this morning was unbelievable”, commented our former Leading further recalls that Uncle Heke gave a dedicated nurse who he
Seaman who hopes to be back marching with his mates in 2021. credits with saving his life, a beautiful silk scarf he had purchased
in Italy for his mother. On hearing of Heke’s passing 63 years
Rod who can be seen regularly walking around the Village later in 2007, that same nurse, returned that same Scarf, still in its
collecting litter and other items, much of which is discarded by little box to Heke’s family who had also moved to Queensland.
those who do not think, also continues to also remember his 4 Whilst noting that the Village has changed much in the past two
legged “Mate” Buddy, an Alsatian Dog who accompanied him on decades, Bill and Pam still love Mango Hill Village and very much
so many loops of the Village when carrying out his community appreciate their neighbours, many of whom also stood on their
work. (Thank You Rod) Driveways on Anzac morning.

May 2020 www.bestoflocal.com.au 9