As onfield is depressing atm, just a slight diversion.
As I stood uo before the game with everyone else on Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised (in fact a chill went down my spine) when the announcer said the Anzac Ode would be read by retired Major William Akell.
For any who know details of the battle of Long Tan in Vietnam, Bill 'Yank' Akell was a signalman in that battle, later mentioned in dispatches. As soon as he started with "they shall not grow old..." I recognised his distinctive voice from numerous Long Tan documentaries I've watched.
I never realised he is a Ballarat resident.
It was a privilege to be in the presence of a genuine Australian legend.
Also, when Bill Akell took part in the rubber plantation battle at Long Tan, he was a 19yo private. Two of my boys are 21 and 18. It's just mind-blowing.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
As I stood uo before the game with everyone else on Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised (in fact a chill went down my spine) when the announcer said the Anzac Ode would be read by retired Major William Akell.
For any who know details of the battle of Long Tan in Vietnam, Bill 'Yank' Akell was a signalman in that battle, later mentioned in dispatches. As soon as he started with "they shall not grow old..." I recognised his distinctive voice from numerous Long Tan documentaries I've watched.
I never realised he is a Ballarat resident.
It was a privilege to be in the presence of a genuine Australian legend.
Also, when Bill Akell took part in the rubber plantation battle at Long Tan, he was a 19yo private. Two of my boys are 21 and 18. It's just mind-blowing.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."