2026 ANZAC Day Media Release
LIONS CLUB of West Pennant Hills – Cherrybrook Inc
Contact Lion : Geoff IrvIne Phone : 0410 440 566
Email : Geoff.irvine07@gmail.com
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WEST PENNANT HILLS CHERRBOOK LIONS CLUB’S 61st ANZAC DINNER 20th APRIL 2026
By Lion Geoff Irvine
The West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Club has always commemorated the spirit, sacrifice, and courage of ANZAC since its formation in April 1964. This was the vision and foresight of the Club’s founding fathers many of whom were veterans of WW1 and WW2. They believed that the community should never forget all those that served our nation since the Boer War between the British Empire and the Boer republican states in 1899 – 1902 and the ANZAC forces that landed on the shores of Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915.
This year’s ANZAC DINNER was the Club’s 61st and was again a sell-out attracting many locals, visiting Lions, VIP’s, Rotarians and people across all ages. All dinners have featured leading and highly qualified speakers with long and interesting experiences from their military service as well as leading war historians.
The Dinner programme included a solemn service of remembrance with opportunities to lay wreaths by many organisations, guests and visiting groups on the Lions Cenotaph. A Catafalque party was provided by local School Cadets whilst the trumpeter proudly played ‘The Last Post” to add to the meaning and significance of our local ANZAC observance.
Our Guest speaker this year was Mr Graham Bruce, a New Zealander now living in Australia, who served in the New Zealand defence forces. He spoke on “Putting the NZ in ANZAC and his role in the RNZAF.” Graham served in many theatres including the Sinai Desert and being part of the Multinational Force and Observers and with Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1990 he was tasked with providing the security of all aircraft used during the February 1990 Royal Tour of New Zealand by HM Queen Elizabeth 11, Prince Phillip and Prince Charles. He related a very interesting story during their tour when one of the aircraft carrying the Royals couldn’t lower its landing gear. This naturally caused great concern until luckily the plane’s wheels were freed and they made a textbook landing to the relief of Graham and his team.
Graham’s family has had a long military history. His maternal Grandfather served in the British Navy in WW2 on the Battle Cruiser, HMS Hood in the Atlantic when it took on the German Battleship, Bismark on the 24th May 1941. The Hood was lost in the subsequent battle. Only 2 survivors from a crew of 1,418 survived. His paternal grandfather served in the British Army and was killed on the beaches of Normandy on the first day of the D Day landing, 6th June in 1944.
As far as we know, we believe our Club is the only service club in Australia that devotes one of its dinner meetings
to commemorate the sacrifices & spirit of ANZAC. If other Lions Clubs could become involved to commemorate ANZAC, in terms of our Club’s example, it would give them another opportunity to reach-out into their communities as part of advancing our motto “WE SERVE”.
The Lions Club of West Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook would like to thank and formally acknowledge the West Pennant Hills Sports Club for providing the facilities enabling our Club to hold this important Community event.
Guest Speaker Graham Bruce The Lions Anzac Cenotaph
First pic. President Philip Watson with Hornsby Mayor Warren Waddell and James Wallace MP Hornsby Second pic. President Philip and Lion ANZAC Chair Gavin Ridley