Leigh Walsh, a member of the Kedron-Wavell Women’s Auxiliary, has a personal connection to Anzac Day that spans decades.
She will be one of many joining the commemorations on Saturday, 25 April, taking part in events including the Dawn Service at Lutwyche Cemetery, the Gunfire Breakfast for members, defence personnel and ex-personnel at Kedron-Wavell, the Anzac Day March from the Chermside Historical Precinct, and the Commemoration Service at Kedron-Wavell.
Joining the Air Force in 1964 as a Leading Aircraft Woman (LACW), Leigh worked as a tailoress, fitting recruits with their uniforms and making alterations, as well as mounting medals for officers.
She said she formed strong friendships with the women she met and that she is still friends with many of them today.
“Women did significant work but were really kept in the background,” she said, noting that back then, women weren’t allowed to go overseas. “As soon as they knew you were getting married, you had to leave the armed forces. But women are much more acknowledged now.
“It has changed so much. Women can get married and go overseas in the war zones.”
Since leaving active service, Leigh said she has enjoyed being a member of the Kedron-Wavell Women’s Auxiliary.
“It’s wonderful – I love all the ladies,” she said. “We are a great group who do so much charity work with stalls and selling badges, and helping out the homeless. They remind me of the ladies I was in the air force with.”
The KWWA also helps keep the spirit of Anzac Day alive in the wider community.
“We sell badges beforehand to raise money, and on the day, it’s so significant,” Leigh said. “it is lovely to have school kids here as they learn what the ANZACS have done. Everyone gets together and reminisces.”
She said that Anzac Day was a time to honour service men and women, past and present.
“I appreciate the men and women who went to war and their sacrifices,” she said. “They should be respected and acknowledged, and I think the community is doing this well.”
Anzac Day Commemorative Services, Saturday, 25 April
Dawn Service
Assemble at 5am Lutwyche Cemetery (War Graves Section), Kitchener Road, Kedron, for a 5.30am service.
Gunfire Breakfast
6.30am – for members, defence personnel and ex-personnel at Kedron-Wavell (near the coffee van).
Anzac Day March
Assemble at 7.50am at Chermside Historical Precinct, 61 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside, for an 8am march to Kedron-Wavell.
Anzac Day Commemoration Service
8.30am, Kedron-Wavell, 21 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside.
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