The Last Post to be played by 14-year-old at Merimbula Anzac Day ceremonies

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A familiar musical call will sound at Anzac Day events across the country today.   On the New South Wales far south coast, a young musician has taken on the responsibility of playing 'The Last Post'.

Transcript

00:00The responsibility of playing the last post has fallen into younger hands.

00:12It's just really special. It's like just everything freezes for a moment.

00:16You just look out there and see everyone heads down.

00:19They're just paying all their respects. It's just a heartfelt moment.

00:24In Marimbula on the New South Wales far south coast,

00:2714-year-old Jordan Mansfield has become the town's go-to musician, committed to playing his part.

00:34It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment and I just can't believe I get to feel that.

00:40The historical call is traditionally played on a bugle, but Jordan does things a little differently.

00:46I do not have a bugle, so I'm just going to start the trumpet.

00:50Despite years of trumpet experience, the last post has its challenges.

00:54There's a lot of high notes in it, which is sort of complicated, but once you get your head around it, it's just all right.

01:00While playing the call, the spirit of Jordan's great-grandfather, who played a role in war efforts, is with him.

01:06So I try to think of him whenever I play it and all the other people that lost their lives in the war.

01:11For Jordan, practice makes perfect.

01:14Make sure it's tip-top shape so then when the day comes, don't make any mistakes and play as best as I can.

01:20The last post was originally played to mark the end of a day in the military.

01:25For Jordan, it's a privilege to play the tune that honours fallen servicemen and women.

01:30You can't forget the people who fought to save your country.

01:33Jordan says he plans to continue playing for crowds at the crack of dawn for years to come.

01:38Well, it's hard to find a trumpeter around here or a bugler, that's one thing for sure.

01:42I'm just going to keep playing until I have to move or I'm not needed anymore.

01:46Inspiring his generation to remember and commemorate the lives lost is front of mind for the young brass horn player.

01:54I feel important because if I'm young, then I get to carry it on until I can pass it on to someone else.

02:00Keeping the Anzac spirit alive to never be forgotten.

02:03F

02:19Alright, thanks.

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