WHEN haunting sounds of the Lost Post echoed along Godfrey Street on Tuesday, the town of Boort knew Alan Streader was paying tribute to servicemen and women whose names are on local honour rolls.
The spritely 97-year-old has put bugle to lips since soon after World War Two producing evocative bugle calls on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
“Alan’s contributions are among the most moving moments of our ceremonies,” said RSL sub-president Paul Haw.
“The feeling Alan puts into the Last Post conveys a strong message of remembrance and puts a tear in all our eyes.”
As one of the oldest solo buglers still on duty, Alan’s record of assistance in local commemorations extends to Boort District School.
Alan has never missed performing at school ANZAC services. Teacher Drew Crilly said that when students were in remote learning during COVID lockdowns of 2020, Alan’s grand-daughter Hannah was school captain and arranged for him to be recorded playing the Last Post that was later streamed to students.
“We were able to continue our ANZAC service and Alan kept up his unbroken contribution,” Drew said.
Last week, Alan caught up with current school leaders Bridie Doyle, Pheobe Malone, Alyssa Boyd and Zarlie Featherby as they prepared for commemorative services on Monday and Tuesday.
Alan eagerly shared his love of music and remembrance with the senior students, an enduring part of his life.
He had his first lesson as a nine-year-old from the legendary Bob McCaskill, of Bendigo, a champion brass band conductor and footballer for Richmond and later coach of North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
McCaskill started bands in many country communities around central Victoria after his return from World War One.
“I joined because I was very keen. Started playing the euphonium that produces beautiful rich notes and then switched to the cornet when the band needed a solo cornet player,” he said. “Over the years we had brass bands at three different times in Boort. The last once finished in the 1970s ... like everything, it faded away.”
Alan was also noted in younger days as a key member of the local Church of Christ Choir.
And while the long-retired carpenter did not serve in war - an arm injury kept him at home in World War Two - Alan knows the special place the Last Post holds with old diggers.
“When it comes time for the Last Post, you realise that this is the time for remembrance. This helps me prepare to play,” he said.
On Tuesday, son of Boort David Wanger spoke of his service in Vietnam, based at the Nui-Dat main camp.
He recalled that after completing his 12 month’s tour he was flown back to Sydney where the planes always landed after midnight so that no one would be there as it Vietnam had become viewed as an unwelcome war. 
David continued his six-year term at Puckapunyal as an instructor of national servicemen.
It was David’s speech and the reading by the four school leaders of names of Boort men killed in war that set the scene and context for Alan’s 2023 rendition of the Last Post.
The man Paul Haw describes as Boort RSL’s greatest support then stepped forward and sounded the ultimate musical tribute to those killed in war.
“And yes, there were again tears to be wiped away,” said Paul.
“After all these decades, our RSL services would just not be the same without Alan.
“Even if he only played half the notes, people would understand ... he’s a wonderful man who every year helps ex-servicemen and our community with respect.”
- CHRIS EARL