FRIDAY’S service marked the 104th Inglewood Bridgewater RSL Anzac Day Service held in front of the Inglewood War Memorial. 
Intermittent showers and dark rainclouds did not deter the crowd gathered for the Inglewood Anzac Day march and service.  Fortunately, the rainclouds held off with a downpour starting as Mick Hobson concluded the service. 
Students from Inglewood Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Wedderburn College, East Loddon P12 attended the service as well as various community groups and businesses including Inglewood and District Community Bank, the Inglewood Football Netball Club, Inglewood Lions Club and the Inglewood CFA. 
Members from the Inglewood Bridgewater RSL laid wreaths on behalf of Veterans from many wars. Former Staff Sergeant Arthur Alsop and his grandson, Corporal Luke Holiday were also in attendance at the service. 
Flight Lieutenant Ricky Hoffman and the 410 Squadron Cadets formed a catafalque party as part of the service. 
Guest speaker, Warrant Officer Class One, Stafford Kelly enlisted in the army in 1979 and had numerous postings around Australia throughout his 38 years of service. He was promoted to WO1 in 1999 and was deployed to East Timor the following year. 
In 2013-15 when the army formed a unit known as the Seriously Wounded Injured and Ill Program (SWIIP), Mr Kelly was selected as the Detachment Commander for the North Queensland Detachment. 
“This program was formed to repatriate and look after the most seriously injured and ill soldiers in the army, in particular those returning from operations in Afghanistan,” said Mr Kelly.  “These soldiers were some of the army’s most maimed and injured soldiers. I am proud to say many of these soldiers have shown tremendous courage and fortitude and some of them have now represented Australia in the Paralympics and Invictus Games.” 
Mr Kelly transitioned from the Australian Regular Army in 2017 and has since returned to beekeeping in a commercial apiary. He received many honours and awards during his service including Conspicuous Service Medal, Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp East Timor, Australian Service Medal with Clasp SE ASIA, Commander Training Command Commendation and Returned from Active Service badge. 
The veteran shared his story as well as the story of a deceased family member in his speech. 
“I grew up here in Inglewood. Our family roots are here and in Rheola, Tarnagulla and surrounds,” said Mr Kelly. 
Mr Kelly shared the story of Private Hughie McLean, a member of D Company 32nd Infantry Battalion, who was born and raised in the Tarnagulla. McLean enlisted June 30th 1915 and was killed in action during a battle at Fromelles, July 19th 1916. 
McLean’s burial location remained unknown until 2010 when DNA evidence matched Mr Kelly’s family with Hughie McLean. McLean was reinterred with full military honours in Fromelles Military Cemetery in 2010. 
“We know that service may come at a heavy cost, war ultimately remains a human endeavour. It is people who suffer from war, and we have borne witness to this across the globe, over the many years since 1915,” Mr Kelly concluded.