When John Haywood and Glen Willson got together about six months ago to see if they could organise an Orion flyover for Penneshaw’s ANZAC Day service they probably didn’t think it would be so easy.

Glen and Alison’s sons are in the armed forces. Flight Officer Rowan is stationed at Edinburgh base in Adelaide with the Orion squadron and was able to organise the flyover as part of the Orion’s Adelaide duties that day.

Rowan and his brother Private Ben Willson applied for leave to be at the Penneshaw service.

“It was our ambition to get them both back for the service this year and the armed forces are keen to support that kind of thing so it worked well,” Mr Willson said.

“The flyover is part of the training regime for the Orion crews so it might be possible to organise that on a regular basis,” he said.

Mr Haywood said the flyover had certainly added to the ceremony of the day and Mr Willson said there was a larger than usual crowd, about 80 people. Assemblies of God

pastor David Gibson presided over the service in the memorial gardens.

Mr Haywood maintains the gardens at Penneshaw, painting the chains twice a year and tending the rosemary border.

LONE PINE SEEDLINGS PLANTED AT AMERICAN RIVER

Peter Guider first became interested in planting seedling from the famous Lone Pine at Gallipoli when he discovered one of the two Australian soldiers to send pinecones home from the tree had served in the 3rd Battalion with his grandfather.

Mr Guider arranged for five seedlings to be delivered from the Yarralumla Nursery in Canberra, where they are available for ceremonial plantings.

The seedlings were planted, with permission from the Kangaroo Island Council, at the Dawn Service in American River with 115 people there to witness the ceremony.

Flight officer Rowan Willson played the bugle and bagpiper Peter Hutfield played as Assemblies of God pastor David Gibson presided.

WREATH LAID IN FIRST PARNDANA SERVICE

A short service was held at the soldiers’ memorial at Parndana, for the first time, this year on ANZAC Day.

Retired Flight Officer Vaughn Clarke accompanied by his wife Susan, read the oath and asked Mr Jim Bowden, pictured right, to join him in laying a wreath.

Mr Clarke commented that it was a shame that a service has not been held in Parndana for many years, as this was the heart of the soldier settlement area for the island.

Because organisers had little notice of this service, they were unable to advertise it taking place.

However, the small group that attended was delighted to be included and we hope to make it an annual event.

The group then proceeded to Davo’s Deli, where they were treated to coffee and Anzac biscuits.

Progress members would be grateful to hear feedback from the public if you would like to attend either a dawn service or 9am service next year.

300 GATHER AT DAWN IN KINGSCOTE

A large crowd of more than 300 attended the Dawn Service in Kingscote with the RSL David Mancer presiding and Pastor Heather Willmott of the Uniting Church leading the service.

Teacher Peter Young played the bugle and later led the Kingscote march on drums.

He also led the Kangaroo Island Community Education orchestra – wearing the school’s new blazers – at the 11am service.

Pastor Mark Evans of the Anglican Church led the ceremony and laying of wreaths at the 11am service.