Home

Anzac Day 2026: Wheatbelt communities gather in remembrance to honour fallen soldiers at commemorations

Headshot of Amy Towers
Amy TowersNarrogin Observer
Veteran Cr Graeme Pierce at the dawn service at Lake Towerrinning.
Camera IconVeteran Cr Graeme Pierce at the dawn service at Lake Towerrinning. Credit: Astrid Volzke

Communities across the Whealtbelt paused to honour the courage and sacrifice of servicemen and women during Anzac Day commemorations on April 25 held throughout the region.

From dawn services at memorials and town halls to community breakfasts and marches, residents gathered to remember those who have served in the past and present conflicts, with wreaths laid and the Last Post echoing through towns big and small.

In Darkan, community groups and volunteers united at Lake Towerrinning for a heartfelt service, with Darkan Primary School, West Arthur Community Resource Centre, Darkan CWA, and St John WA all helping to mark the occasion alongside residents.

The statue honouring the Light Horse on Yeerakine Rock.
Camera IconThe statue honouring the Light Horse on Yeerakine Rock. Credit: Shire of Kondinin

Lake Grace residents gathered for a moving service led by John O’Neill with contributions from Layla Fleay, Lucy Farrelly, Debby Clarke, and Shane Carruthers.

Cadets from the Lake Grace District High School played an important role in the service, assisting throughout the morning and paying tribute to past and present personnel.

Following the service, the community came together for a morning tea.

In Corrigin, the dawn service took place at RSL Memorial Hill, with Phil Barber as the master of ceremonies.

Students from Corrigin District High School presented a poem, while Will Crombie delivered the benediction, Nola Forbes gave the Anzac Day address, and Tim George recited the Ode Of Remembrance.

Brookton and Wandering also marked the occasion with traditional dawn services before residents gathered for community breakfasts, followed by an Anzac Day march and mid-morning commemorations.

The crowd gathered on Yeerakine Rock for the dawn service in Kondinin.
Camera IconThe crowd gathered on Yeerakine Rock for the dawn service in Kondinin. Credit: Shire of Kondinin

At Kondinin, residents assembled near the Light Horse statue at Yeerakine Rock for a picturesque dawn ceremony, with the rising sun providing a striking backdrop to the tribute.

Events in the shire of Cuballing took place at the Popanyinning war memorial, which hosted the dawn service, and the memorial in Cuballing, where the Anzac Day service was held.

Services were also held in Wagin, Wickepin and Williams, where communities reflected and remembered those who have served.

Across the towns, the ceremonies reflected the importance of Anzac Day in regional communities, where generations continue to gather in remembrance, gratitude and respect for Australian and New Zealand military personnel.

The statue honouring the Light Horse on Yeerakine Rock in Kondinin.
Camera IconThe statue honouring the Light Horse on Yeerakine Rock in Kondinin. Credit: Shire of Kondinin
Riders Luke Tyson, Helen Crane and Deb Wright at the dawn service on Yeerakine Rock in Kondinin.
Camera IconRiders Luke Tyson, Helen Crane and Deb Wright at the dawn service on Yeerakine Rock in Kondinin. Credit: Shire of Kondinin
The sun rises over Kondinin after the dawn service.
Camera IconThe sun rises over Kondinin after the dawn service. Credit: Shire of Kondinin
The sun rises over Kondinin after the dawn service.
Camera IconThe sun rises over Kondinin after the dawn service. Credit: Shire of Kondinin
Anzac Day in Lake Grace.
Camera IconAnzac Day in Lake Grace. Credit: Lake Grace Community Resource Centre
Wreaths laid at the Corrigin Anzac Day service.
Camera IconWreaths laid at the Corrigin Anzac Day service. Credit: Corrigin Historical Society
The dawn service in Corrigin.
Camera IconThe dawn service in Corrigin. Credit: Corrigin Historical Society
Wreaths in Corrigin laid to remember those who have served.
Camera IconWreaths in Corrigin laid to remember those who have served. Credit: Corrigin Historical Society
The Anzac Day march in Brookton.
Camera IconThe Anzac Day march in Brookton. Credit: Brookton RSL branch
The Anzac Day dawn service in Brookton.
Camera IconThe Anzac Day dawn service in Brookton. Credit: Brookton RSL branch
Wreaths laid in Brookton.
Camera IconWreaths laid in Brookton. Credit: Brookton RSL branch
Piper James Campbell leads marchers to the Anzac Day service in Darkan. There was a dawn service at Lake Towerrinning and an Anzac Day service in Darkan on April 25.
Camera IconPiper James Campbell leads marchers to the Anzac Day service in Darkan. There was a dawn service at Lake Towerrinning and an Anzac Day service in Darkan on April 25. Credit: Shire of West Arthur
Piper James Campbell leads marchers to the Anzac Day service in Darkan. There was a dawn service at Lake Towerrinning and an Anzac Day service in Darkan on April 25.
Camera IconPiper James Campbell leads marchers to the Anzac Day service in Darkan. There was a dawn service at Lake Towerrinning and an Anzac Day service in Darkan on April 25. Credit: Astrid Volzke
Maya Gallegos, 16, speaks at the Anzac Day service in Darkan.
Camera IconMaya Gallegos, 16, speaks at the Anzac Day service in Darkan. Credit: Astrid Volzke
Lucas Whitaker, 16, reads The Ode Of Remembrace at Darkan.
Camera IconLucas Whitaker, 16, reads The Ode Of Remembrace at Darkan. Credit: Astrid Volzke

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails