Up At Dawn 2025

This Artwork is apart of the River Country Art Trail

Up At Dawn

Each year, on April 25th, the community gathers for the annual Barham-Koondrook Anzac Day parade. The air carries a quiet sense of reverence as the town prepares for the service. Families and individuals make their way to the Barham Bridge, which spans the Dhungala (Murray River), the natural thread stitching together New South Wales and Victoria.

As the crowd gathers, a soft murmur of voices and the gentle rustling of the river-red gums create an atmosphere of reflection. As the service commences, golden light spills across the Dhungala, casting a warm glow over the gathering. In the trees, the elusive Micro Bat and the Owlet Nightjar are spotted briefly before retreating to their hollows —totems of the Barapa Barapa men and women. Along the riverbank, the Australasian Darter and the Bayadherra (Broad-Shelled Turtle) are still silent observers of the unfolding ceremony and the passage of history.

As the march crosses the bridge, a paddle steamer glides downstream, a living echo of the river's past and the industries that shaped the region.

For generations, Barham and Koondrook have drawn their spirit and livelihood from the mighty Murray River. The towering river red gums, once felled for railway sleepers and paddle steamers, stand as monuments to a proud timber industry that helped build these towns. Nearby, citrus orchards thrive in the rich, river-fed soil. Their fruit symbolises the resilience and dedication of the farming families who have long called this place home.

George Rathbone and his trusted steed, Tuff, lead the parade, followed by the Highland Band. Their stirring melodies cut through the air, a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Anzacs. As the final notes of the Last Post drift into silence, the community stands united—still, grateful, and deeply connected by memory and place, lest we forget.

This Artwork was organised in conjunction with FORM for the Murray River Council.

Photos 📷 courtesy of Mitchell Barkman, Noel Fisher and Cheri Desailly