Albany families ready to pay tribute at home

Albany families are preparing to take to their driveways at dawn on Saturday to pay their respects to the nation’s servicemen and women. Dawn services have been cancelled across the country this year, but in a city so strongly linked to Australia’s wartime legacy, a pandemic will not stop residents honouring the Anzacs. Mira Mar sisters Blythe, 8, and Ava Marmion, 11, will put their musical talents to use, taking to their front yard with their violin and guitar. The pair have been hard at work rehearsing the national anthem and the Last Post, ready to play to their cul-de-sac at first light. “I haven’t done much on my guitar before — hopefully we can make our families proud,” Ava said. “It is about remembering the great service that was done for Australia and the whole world, really. “They didn’t have to, but they chose to serve their country and fight in wars that could have killed them.” With three generations of veterans before them, sacrifice runs in the sisters’ blood. Their father, Dr Phillip Marmion, served in the Royal Australian Navy for more than nine years; their grandfather fought in the Vietnam War; and both great-grandfathers served in World War II. Albany is a significant place for their grandfather, whose ashes will soon be laid to rest at sea alongside his old vessel, HMAS Perth. The girls’ mother Katrina said some of her father’s fondest memories were of his time on the water with the RAN. “My dad talked about the mateship in the navy and how much he loved being a part of the crew,” she said. “Three of our family members who served are no longer with us, so it is nice to be able to remember them this way. “They would be very proud that we are doing this.” Across town, Anzac Day 2020 is shaping up to be especially memorable for the Brown family of 10, who have prepared their own home service. The family’s three eldest children will bring a touch of tradition to the morning, taking to their street in their full Australian Air Force Cadet uniforms. Cadet Amelia Brown, 13, will take part in her first Anzac Day as a cadet by sounding the Last Post on her cornet, flanked by her siblings. Cadet Cpl Elijah Brown, 16, said he was pleased to be able to pay his respects from home. “It is important this year because we can’t go ahead with our normal celebrations so we need to all get together at home and make it work,” he said. Cadet Sgt Tobi Brown, 15, said cadets should set an example. “It has always been something important to us in cadets, especially this year because it is different and because other people are not sure about how it is going to work,” she said. Their mother Stacey said their strong connection to the Anzac legacy was shared by families across Albany. “I think it is something everyone in Albany is really proud of. It is a big part of our identity and I think everyone in Albany feels that connection,” she said.