Holding ground

Bhuvi Rai and Rahul Ashokkumar take part in the Anzac Eve Youth Vigil

youth guard yields to a formal uniformed Catafalque Party, and the Dawn Service follows.

BY VINAYA RAI

The state RSL organises a youth vigil that commences at 6pm on 24th April and continues till the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. This year, representatives from 10 youth groups conducted this vigil. It was a pleasure to see the immense pride and discipline with which the youth stood vigil around the War Memorial on North Terrace. Every few minutes, they would move a space around the Memorial and when a new member joined the team, one o d o o o there ere a ays 10 young people standing around the Memorial keeping vigil for the heroes of bygone wars.

According to the Army and Air Force Cadets, the concept of the Vigil comes from the military tradition of ‘Holding Ground’ – whereby an advance party would occupy a strategic position, and hold that position in preparation for the arrival of their main force. This would often involve an all-night vigil by rostered pickets, soldiers keeping watch, alert to ensure that the site was secure and the others safe.

For the Anzac Vigil, the volunteer youth mount a formal ‘Holding Ground’ ceremony around the War Memorial from sunset until dawn. Just before dawn, the

The first Youth Vigil was held in Adelaide in 2001, and the concept has since spread to both metropolitan and regional communities. The Youth Vigil is now accepted in Australia as an integral part of the Anzac commemoration.

In Adelaide, the Vigil was attended by the Governor, the Premier and several dignitaries. The Governor inspected the Guard of Honour by the 10 youth groups and was given a beautiful tour around and into the War Memorial. This was followed by a few speeches and beautiful rendering of The Last Post.

A group of multicultural youth also paid their respects to our ANZAC heroes and represented their communities in doing so. Bhuvi Rai and Rahul Ashokkumar participated from the Indian community.

“When I received the invitation to take part in the Anzac youth vigil, I felt extremely lucky,” Rahul told Indian Link “There were a total of 25 communities invited. As each community lined up in alphabetical order, we were required to place a book or a bouquet to pay respect to the fallen soldiers. Bhuvi, my fellow Indian representative and I, dressed in traditional Indian clothes, walked down the aisle of soldiers to the steps, placed the book and paid our respects. It was a very humbling experience and I am proud to have been a part of it.”

The young people who carried out this solemn tradition were volunteers for

For the Anzac Vigil, the volunteer youth mount a formal ‘Holding Ground’ ceremony around the War Memorial from sunset until dawn various community groups like CFS, SES, Red Cross, Scouts and Guides, etc.

I reflected that even though they did not o to ar o ands to protect o r country, they did help keep us safe at home a e in crises and diffic t conditions, when life and limb were in dan er, they o ered their time and e ort, their co ra e and assistance It is a tradition to be proud of – not only the Vigil but the Volunteering as well. ccordin to yin fficer a osen ei , ic airs omm nication fficer or o in AAFC, “The Anzac Vigil aims to provide young citizens with an opportunity to express, in a tangible way, the increasing interest shown in Anzac Day and other remembrance activities.”

As I watched our children on the steps of the Memorial, I was glad that they were learning the traditions of the land their parents had brought them to. To respect the people who laid down their lives in distant lands, and to show this respect in a real way.

To know that in war or peace, to keep your fellowmen safe and protected is your duty and to know that it is up to each one of us to do so.

Our youth are keeping the Anzac spirit alive.

Lest we forget.