Albany Anzac Day commemorations to feature HMAS Anzac III contingent led by Commanding Officer David McPherson

Royal Australian Navy Commander David McPherson says it will be an “absolute privilege” to give an Anzac Day address in Albany. Albany’s Anzac Day commemorations will begin with the traditional dawn service at the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mt Clarence at 5.30am, where New Zealand Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Linehan will give the address. The dawn service will be simultaneously live-streamed at the Albany Entertainment Centre and on an outdoor screen at the Anzac Peace Park. Buses will take those with tickets from the entertainment centre car park to the memorial from 3.30am, with the last bus leaving about 4.30 am. After the dawn service, a gunfire breakfast will be provided outside the Albany Entertainment Centre, including a traditional tot of rum. The main Anzac Day service march will form at Albany Town Hall from 9.30 am, with the Albany 10th Light Horse Troop leading the march from 10am. The Australian Army Band Perth will join the march down to Anzac Peace Park where the main commemorative service will start at 10.30. This year, a one minute’s silence will be observed out of respect for the ongoing war in Ukraine. HMAS Anzac (III) Commanding Officer David McPherson will give the keynote address at Anzac Peace Park where he will be received on parade. Commander McPherson said his speech would focus on Albany, and the role the city played in supporting the war effort in World War I. “A substantial amount of community effort would have been required from the population at the time to support and prepare the vessels logistically for their journey,” Commander McPherson said. “I’m also going to talk about where the Anzac term came from, what it means going forward and also try to provide a contemporary element of what it means to the serving members of today and how we can carry the Anzac legacy forward.” He said that Albany had a “prominent” place in Australia’s wartime history — and not only in relation to WWI. “Albany as an area has provided significant support to the Australian Defence Force, but also to our allies as well, particularly to the Us during WWII,” he said. “I think for such a small community, Albany has such strong, thriving connections.” About 100 of HMAS Anzac’s company will come to Albany for Anzac Day, where they will attend the dawn service, the march and the commemorative service. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, it will be the first chance for many of the company’s junior members to participate in a public march. “To be in Albany on Anzac Day, and a part of HMAS Anzac’s company is an absolute privilege for me, and I absolutely know that the ship’s company are really looking forward to being part of the community on Anzac Day,” he said. For one of the ship’s company, Leading Seaman Shamira Altschwager, the visit to Albany will be even more special. An Albany local and graduate of Albany Senior High School, her parents will be keeping an eye out for her during the Anzac Day march. The Anzac Peace Park service will be followed by a function from 11.30am at the Stirling Club, with games of two-up and a raffle to raise money for the Albany RSL.