Peter Graham OAM with great grandchildren, from left, Braydan (Melbourne), Maddison and Mitchell Sicily from Echuca, and hugging her dad, daughter Julie.
Rutherglen had its largest ever Anzac Day crowd this year with an estimated 400 people at the Dawn Service and 800 at the 9am service.
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“Certainly, it’s what I believe, and many others said,” MC Peter Graham OAM said.
“We had more participants this year, with a good number from Cathedral Group College, more primary school children and 40 from Rutherglen Football Netball Club marching.”
It was a special day for Mr Graham who stepped in as Master of Ceremonies due to the ill-health of Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch President Noel Hince and was also honoured with Victorian RSL Life Membership for outstanding service.
Rutherglen immediate past president Craig Williams read a citation from the Victorian RSL.
“Peter has been an integral part of Rutherglen RSL, serving in a number of positions on the committee since the 1990s,” Mr Williams said.
“He’s a great identity and so well deserving of Victorian life membership.”
A twice past president of Rutherglen RSL, Mr Graham was surprised at the honour. His wife Kate was a three-times past president.
Peter Graham OAM awareded a life membership of the Victorian RSL this Anzac Day.
“It seems everybody knew except me.”
“It seems everybody knew except me,” he said.
“I’m blown away; I’m grateful of course for life membership at state level, but I do things because I like helping people.”
Guest speaker on Anzac Day was Rutherglen resident Rodney Ambrose AM who spoke of the heartbreak to a family from war before an increased number of attendees who wore medals from late relations.
Rutherglen High School captains Jai Hymus and Eli Keys spoke well after their research about Anzac Day with their efforts described by Mr Graham as “perfect”.
“The RSL Sub-Branch is just so thankful to everybody in the community who helped make last Friday such a success,” he said.
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