FOR the first time in its history the Terang RSL unfurled the Aboriginal flag during a moving dawn service.
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Denise Moon witnessed the historic moment along with more than 500 others who attended the ceremony.
Ms Moon is the great granddaughter of William Charles Westbury, an Aboriginal soldier who served in the Boer War and was one of the early soldiers to arrive first ashore for the Anzac landing.
Ms Moon said when her great grandfather sailed to Egypt he brought a joey which proved to be popular distraction for the Australian troops.
Ms Moon, together with her son Franklin Moon, said the sacrifices of her great grandfather were phenomenal.
“It’s just mind blowing to realise that he was in the Boer War and he came home and he was in the First World War and he came home later died of Tetanus,” she said.
“But also the fact that he was one of the first to land at Anzac Cove on Gallipoli and I think that most Australians would now confidently say that they had seen (photos of) the kangaroo at the Pyramids in Egypt.
“It’s an honour to stand now as his great granddaughter and be proud of what all Aboriginal people have done and it’s a day I’ve been waiting for a long time.
“It’s more than pride. It’s a knowing and a deeper understanding and it just opens your world to how wonderful Australia is and how wonderful every soldier is.”
Mr Moon said to have a personal connection to Anzac day was particularly special.
“It’s one thing to understand the events of the Boar War and World War I,” he said.
“It’s another thing to understand what the soldiers actually went through and be connected through blood really adds something to it.”
Ms Moon paid tribute to the Terang RSL for recognising the contribution Aboriginal people had made throughout the years.
Terang RSL president Steve Bloxham said there had been an exceptional turn out from the community.
He said the dawn service brought home to many people the spirit and legend of the Anzacs.
“The aboriginal people who fought are part of the Anzac legend,” he said.
“You can’t leave them out. But also you’ve got to understand there is that Anzac legend and that it doesn’t matter what race or creed.
“At the end of the day they were mates and they fought together and this is why we’re here today.”