FOR nearly three decades, organisers have needed to look no further than Leading Senior Constable Ross Draper for someone to play at Remembrance Day or ANZAC Day ceremonies.
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From next year though, those organisers will need to find someone different, for Sunday marked the last time the outgoing officer performed the ceremonial duty.
After learning the to play the bugle in honour of his grandfather, a World War One veteran, Mr Draper has always been happy to volunteer his time – although even by his own admission, he can still feel some nerves.
“My grandfather started doing it, so I joined the band when I was about 11 years old, I learned to play the bugle as soon as I could, out of respect for our fallen soldiers,” he said.
“I feel honoured every time I play, because I’m not just playing for myself.
“Friends and relative who maybe have lost someone in the war, it’s for them.
“I always feel good playing it for them, and if I play it well, then that’s even better.”
Mr Draper’s mastery of the instrument was on full display on Sunday morning at Woodland Grove in Wodonga, delivering pitch-perfect renditions of The Last Post and The Rouse.
He was confident there would be another talented bugler to take his place.
“It takes some time to get it right, and you never can tell what might happen,” Mr Draper said.
