Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's pretty special to see community members come out in ever-growing numbers, as they did at Emu Plains on Anzac Day for the community run service. Along with the member for Penrith, Karen McKeowen, and her office, my team and I were grateful to be supporting the newly formed Anzac Day committee so locals could pay their respects at the Emu Plains War Memorial. With well over a thousand people in attendance, I want to put on record my thanks to those who came and to the many people who made the day possible.

Volunteers who served on the community committee included members of Penrith RSL sub-Branch, with Peter Ward stepping up as a co-chair alongside local resident Kim Martin. Nepean District Historical Society, Lions Club of Emu Plains, Emu Plains Girl Guides, Penrith City NASHOS and Anglican Church representatives and many other individuals were all involved in the meetings and on the day. Local businesses generously provided financial support for this service, including Dukes Estate Agents, PAAL Kit Homes, Epoc Enviro and Leonay Golf Club, and Penrith RSL and Paul Wallace at Property Central donated to ensure that the Lions Club barbecue was well stocked, which was much appreciated by the crowd after the service. There were endless in-kind supports and offers, like the historical display and morning tea by the historical society inside Melrose Hall; Penrith City Council, who waived the fee for the park and hall hire—thanks Mayor Todd Carney—the wonderful Emu Plains Girl Guides who allowed us to use their hall for committee meetings free of charge; and all the donors of Rosemary.

The service itself was led by Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School leaders Emma Hobson and Alex McDonald-Tickner, with Adam Hurford on drums, Ashleigh Long and Charisse Bell singing the national anthems, and former student Tyler Watson was our bugler. Emu Heights Public School, Emu Plains Public School, Leonay Public School and Our Lady of the Way Primary School all participated in the march and service in one or more ways, as did Reverand Roger Cunningham, Legacy, Lesley Ayres from the Women's Veteran Network, Emu Plains Little Athletics and Nepean Rovers.

A special thank you to No. 37 Squadron RAAF Base Richmond, who provided a catafalque party led by Flight Lieutenant Nathan Peters. This was a first for the service in recent years and so appreciated by the community. Pilot Officer Lewis Jackson delivered a beautiful commemorative address, while Sergeant Shane Trigg laid a wreath on behalf of the squadron. People valued hearing stories of the service and sacrifice of local families, including those named on the plaques of the Emu Plains cenotaph from Chris Bryett, the sub-branch veterans' advocate. It was a beautiful example of a community that really cares.

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