By Dongyun Kwon
Hundreds of people gathered to commemorate Anzac Day at dawn services, marches and daytime services on Friday 25 April.
The day started at 5.45am in Healesville with the dawn service.
The service was started with a welcome and acknowledgement by Healesville RSL president Colette Shaw, followed by wreath laying.
After the wreaths were laid, Ms Shaw gave an Anzac speech, explaining the Gallipoli landing and the purpose of Anzac Day services.
“Before dawn on 25 April 1915, the first soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula … Some 2000 Australians were killed or wounded on 25 April. It was a day of confusion and fear,” she said.
“Anzac Day has been one of the most important dates on Australia’s calendar since 1916. At first, it gave people a chance to honour the original Anzacs, the Australians and New Zealanders who fought on Gallipoli, then it became a day for those who had served in the First World War.
“With Australians experiencing the Second World War, and wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations that have followed, Anzac Day has become an occasion to honour all who have worn our country’s uniform in service.”
The guest speaker was Eildon MP Cindy McLeish who spoke of her trip to Gallipoli last year.
Two Healesville High School captains were invited to the stage to recite In Flanders Field and Remembrance respectively.
After the Ode and one-minute silence, flags were raised.
The dawn service was wrapped up around 6.10am with the poppy laying.
Attendees were invited to stay for the Healesville RSL’s Gun Fire breakfast and to attend the morning march and service.
In Yarra Glen, the Memorial March took place through the town’s main street from 10.15am.
The Yarra Glen Anzac Day service started at 10.30am with the opening address by Yarra Glen RSL past president Stephen Shortis, followed by an invocation by Edward Bartosh, the secretary of Yarra Glen RSL.
Rosemary Bowling read aloud a letter from the front, written by Lance Corporal George Benjamin Muir.
Yarra Glen Primary School Choir sang Lest We Forget in front of the crowd.
This year’s student guest speakers were Tayah Davis and Jessup Williamson from Yarra Glen Primary School, and Cara Bourne from Yering Primary School.
Cara spoke about her thoughts on war and Anzac Day by introducing the story of her family members who served Australia in different wars.
Yarra Glen RSL vice president Goerge Miller OAM read an Anzac Day poem Mates and Mr Shortis recited the Ode followed by a minute silence.
Wreaths were laid on the cenotaph by local community groups before the community was invited to lay poppies.
