APRIL 11, 2015 Commemoration on the Somme

Ngarrindjeri Anzac remembered.

Saturday April 11…today we began the process of immersing the group into the tragic story of the First World War and no better place to start but on the open spaces of the Somme valley. 

Jackie Bedford would be with us for this sector of the tour expertly and passionately recounting this
massive narrative. Our sunny spring days were replaced by and cool windy conditions which stayed with us all day. The famous locations associated with loss and grief such as Pozieres, Thiepval, Mouquet Farm, Lochnagar crater were our focus.

 However as often happens on these tours, an unexpected and powerful moment drew us tightly together. …and this was because of a fine young man, Trae Rigney.

Proudly representing his Ngarrindjeri people, family and community, Trae moved us all to tears with his heartfelt and eloquently delivered commemoration to his Ngarrindjeri soldier Arthur Walker. Here in front of our group was all that Connecting Spirits has been and achieved over the last decade.

 For Mal Jurgs co founder of the CS project and myself, it was a special moment one we will both treasure. Thank you Trae.