About 400 brave souls ventured out on a wet and windy night for ANZAC Light on the Water 2009 which paid tribute to the 268 Australians who were lost when the hospital ship Centaur was torpedoed off the Queensland coast in May 1943.
Strong winds prevented the lighting of candles in the 3000 cardboard replica lifeboats made by local Primary School students.
However, North Haven Lifesaving Club volunteers came to the rescue and valiantly managed to light some of the candles in the 268 lifeboats that bore the name of each of the victims of the wartime tragedy.
The small group of spectators were entertained by a smaller Bay Big Band, a larger than life Steve Foster, a lone piper and the hugely impressive Royal Australian Navy Guard and Ceremonial Unit.
Port Kids for Anzac Patrons Jack Buckskin, 22, welcomed everyone to the land of his Kaurna people and Paralympian Jay Dohnt, 19, spoke about the role of young people in the future commemoration of Australia's military forces, merchant navy and civilian support groups in many conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
"I encourage all young people to become more involved in ANZAC day events during this and future commemorations, many of the soldiers who fought to create this fantastic legacy of mate ship and patriotism were as young as 16, boys who changed the dates of their birth certificates for an opportunity to represent and protect this country.
"A sense of morality and pride that I believe still exists within Australian youth today.
"ANZAC day is an opportunity to enforce that very sense of pride we have simply by being an Australian.
"A sense of pride that steams back to the attitudes and achievements of the Anzacs, a sense of pride which optimizes Australia and Australians.
"Tonight’s ceremony is the first step for John Williams, Jack Buckskin and I in establishing “Port Kids for ANZAC” a group which is dedicated to reminding SA’s youth about the importance of the Anzac’s and ANZAC day.
"Together with Jack and John I hope to be able to recruit more young people from schools all over SA and fulfil the saying “lest we forget”.
Other speakers included South Australian Treasurer, Kevin Foley, local Federal Labor MP Mark Butler, Port Adelaide Mayor, Gary Johanson, and Rev Ali Wurm.
Because organisers were unable to light many candles, local community and visitors at the event took home most of the 3000 lifeboats and promised to return them for launching when David Mearns of Blue Water Discoveries and the Federal and Queensland Government Search Team locates the wreck of the Centaur later this year.
The organisers of ANZAC of Light on the Water thank all of those volunteers who worked tirelessly on the 2009 event.
Our photos show:
The incredible Centaur in a bottle, a priceless memento, which is actually made from some wreckage washed up on Bribie Island the morning after the hospital ship was sunk. Paul Minards drove to Port Adelaide to show it to everyone at the event, because it was his father, a Coast-watcher on Bribie Island in May 1943, who found the wreckage and then made the ship in the bottle. Paul believes it should be in the National War Memorial in Canberra and it is possible that David Mearns might take it out with him on the search for Centaur.
Photos: Jack Buckskin in Network Ten's Adelaide studios make up.
Jack, who is a dancer and teacher, is also highly skilled in traditional Indigenous body make up himself.
The three Js: Jay, Jack and John with the camera crew after a national interview with David and Kim for 9 AM.
Brave Lifesaver volunteers make every effort to keep the flame burning.
Proud merchant seamen Keith Ridgeway hangs the Red Ensign and Aussie flag.
Veterans widows watch the the RAN Guard and Ceremonial Unit.
Keith Ridgeway, one of the hardest working volunteers with RAN South Australia Commanding Officer, Craig Pritchard, local Federal MP Mark Butler, Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor, Gary Johanson, and lone piper Don Macaulay.
More boats with names
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