Media Centre

Aged care residents honour ANZAC Day

Publish Date: 24/04/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.

To commemorate ANZAC Day, Baptcare’s residential facility Karingal Community, will be holding an order of service for residents and their families including 12 war veterans on the 25th of April.

For war veteran Mr Dudley Pilkington, sharing his memories of the past is still an emotional experience.

“ANZAC Day means the world to me as I used to march in both the services at Devonport. I served in the Royal Australian Engineering Unit in the second Australian field squadron which was during the 2nd World War,” Mr Pilkington said.

The service taught Mr Pilkington new trades which gave him a great start when he left the service and became a civilian. Even though his medals are with his family for safekeeping, he said the honor of serving his country will always remain with him.

“I do not need a medal to know how hard it was for the comrades who fought for Australia - these memories will never leave me,” Mr Pilkington said.

Held at the facility, the ANZAC service will include two mosaic pictures, created by the residents. The art pieces represent the people who gave their lives during war, and the service will allow residents the time and place to reflect on those memories.

“It’s wonderful to have a service at Karingal Community as many of the residents, like me, are unable to go out to the services in the community. As I lay one of the wreaths with pride, I’ll be thinking of how very lucky we are to live in such a great country, because of the men who fought to keep it that way for the following generations,” Mr Pilkington said.

The service will include a performance by the Karingal Choir (to sing a medley of hymns and war tunes), story sharing and the raising and lowering of the Australian flag.

“ANZAC day is one of the most important days in Australian history and we are proud to have the opportunity to honour it at Baptcare. It is also humbling to know that there are residents at Karingal Community who committed their lives to the future of Australia,” Baptcare CEO Mr Jeff Davey said.

The event is scheduled from 2pm until 3pm and will be held at Karingal Community, 32 Lovett Street, Devonport.