Anzac vigil: the lighting of Pingelly’s eternal flame

The Pingelly community came together on April 24 to light the small Wheatbelt town’s version of the eternal flame in Memorial Park.

Pingelly RSL sub-branch president Damien Spencer lit the flame at 6pm.

The eternal flame vigil is held over 12 hours in four three hour shifts before concluding at the dawn service.

Pingelly emergency service personnel stood guard over the flame throughout the night, with Sheina Diamond and daughter Shannon Diamond taking the first watch.

Long-serving local volunteer firefighter Peter Narducci said the tradition began in 2007 when he was approached by past Pingelly RSL secretary Peter Charles.

“Peter asked if there was any chance of getting a lamp for a vigil,” he said

“I decided to make one, and the fire service donated it to the Pingelly RSL and said we would stand guard over the flame.”

The oil lamp burns for around five hours before it requires a refill.

“When Peter came to pick it up he dragged out his cheque book and he asked how much the lamp would cost,” Mr Narducci said

“I said the price has already been paid because these men and women went to Gallipoli and fought in the war, and many of them did not come back - the lamp has well and truly been paid for.”

Six members of the newly formed Pingelly Youth and Emergency Services Cadets also attended the lighting and shared watch duties ahead of attending their first Anzac Day parade on April 25.