OPTIMIST CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1938, Page 5

OPTIMIST CLUB

ANZAC DAY IN SYDNEY. ADDRESS BY MR G. R. BOOTH. • There was a good attendance of members and guests at the weekly meeting of the Optimist Club held last evening. Mr Trevor Donnell itvicepresident), presided. The speaker for the evening was Mr G. R. Booth. Mr Booth referred to his experiences in Sydney in connection with the recent Anzac Day celebrations. He first referred to the Sydney Memorials—that in Martin Place and that at the Domain. The actual ceremony on Anzac Day took place in an ampitheatre in the Domain. Great crowds attended the celebrations, which commenced when between 60,000 and 70,000 people were estimated present. A noticeable feature was the absence of instrumental music either during the march or at the service, with the exception of the trumpets. A very fine short address was given by a New Zealander. The whole service concluded about 4.30, before dawn had broken. At 7.30 a.m. they were again on the march, this time to the assembly point where they had to be by 8 a.m. They moved off again at 9 a.m., . when the assembled troops marched off down past the Cenotaph, where absolute silence prevailed. Marching twelve abreast it took two hours to assemble all the soldiers at the Domain. Mr Booth spoke in great praise of the splendid organisation in connection with the celebrations. Everywhere the New Zealanders were received with cheering. It was estimated that something like 200,000 soldiers and civilians were gathered in the Domain. The service itself was similar in many respects to the “Dawn Service” at the Cenotaph. The address here was again given by a New Zealander. Like the service itself the address was short and to the point. This ceremony concluded the Anzac Day celebrations. In the afternoon business was resumed, although throughout the day considerable latitude was given to returned soldiers and many employers released their returned men. Of the New Zealanders who were present, the speaker felt sure that not one would regret the expenditure involved in the trip and he felt certain that all who were present would remember it to the end of their days. The whole of the celebrations were carried out with reverence and respect and were deeply impressive.

At the conclusion of his address Mr Booth answered several questions after which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr Trevor Daniell.