Murrurundi Remembers the Light Horse

THE 99th celebration of Beersheba Day in Murrurundi yesterday defied the weatherman and turned out a sunny day for the village.

Murrurundi Public School pupil Mitchell Brown delivered the prayer for the Nation and Jack Teague from Blandford, the Prayer for the Queen.

Major General Warren Glenny speaking at the Beersheeba Day commemorative service at Murrurundi.

The master of ceremonies was Mayor Wayne Bedggood and honorary guest for the day was retired Major General Warren Glenny and his wife.

In a first for the village, a 12-piece military brass and reed band, the Australian Army Band Newcastle heralded the ceremonies with the rendition of Waltzing Matilda and the Radetzky March composed by Johann Strauss Sr.

Piping the schools’ marchers of Murrurundi and Blandford and the Beersheba horsemen on the Wilson Memorial for the march-past was the full-throated Scone Pipe Band.

“I am pleased to see Murrurundi attracts senior people to come to these celebrations,” retired Major General Warren Glenny told a gathering of approximately 70.

“The nature of our country is such that towns and villages throughout the length of Australia celebrate the sacrifices and commemorate those from their districts and certainly the people of Murrurundi back in those dark days served their nation well and a number of them continued through their civic life to continue serving them well,” he said.

Major General Warren Glenny said the Charge of Beersheba would have been an inspiring sight.

Australian served their country well he said.

“Young Australians and no so young do their country proud for the very fact of the service that they render,” he said.

The small ceremony was finished off with a luncheon at the local Murrurundi Bowling Club.

The marching band performing during the Beersheeba Day commemorative service at Wilson Park Memorial Oval, Murrurundi.