THE Wangaratta Homing Pigeon Club (Inc) held its Anzac Day commemoration pigeon race to honour the Australian Carrier Pigeon Service and the important role it played in defending Australia in the Western Pacific during WW2.

The birds were liberated on Anzac Day morning from Narrandera into clear blue skies with a slight headwind to race to their respective lofts in Wangaratta and Myrtleford, distances of approximately 180 kilometres.

The winning pigeon, owned by Carl Cutrona, arrived home in under two and a half hours, flying an average velocity of 877.89 metres per minute.

The minor placings were won by Damien Lappin of Wangaratta and Richard and Gail Turner of Myrtleford.

This was the first time that the Wangaratta Homing Pigeon Club (Inc) has held an Anzac Day Commemoration pigeon race and the club and its members are keen to continue the event to commemorate Anzac Day, our service men and women and the role the Australian Carrier Pigeon Service played in defending Australia.