By KATH GANNAWAY
THIS year marks the centenary of Gallipoli, a landmark campaign of WWI, and a defining event in the history of Australia.
By the end of the Gallipoli campaign, 8709 Australians and 2701 New Zealanders had died.
Countless others subsequently died of their wounds or had premature deaths as a result of the physical and emotional trauma.
Across the nation, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, and children who never got to know their fathers, lived on with broken hearts.
On Anzac Day, Saturday, 25 April, services across the Yarra Valley will recognise the sacrifice made by generations of Australians on Gallipoli, throughout WWI and in subsequent wars.
For many, the day will start with the dawn services followed by a gunfire breakfast. Anzac marches, reunions, and the odd game of two-up continue a growing tradition of commemoration.
Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join RSL members at any of the services listed below.
Yarra Junction
A Dawn Service will be held at the Cenotaph in Yarra Junction at 6am, followed by a community breakfast at the Upper Yarra RSL in Settlement Road. A gold coin donation would be appreciated.
Assembly for the march is at 10am in the main street for a 10.30am march to the cenotaph. Head back to the RSL for lunch and a friendly game of two-up. There will also be bands until 10.30pm, kids’ activities, footy and raffles. Contact: Upper Yarra RSL 5967 1771.
Healesville
A DAWN service will be held at Healesville RSL at 5.45am, followed by the traditional gunfire breakfast. Gold coin donation welcome.
March participants to assemble at 9.30am at Church Street for a 10am march to the Memorial Hall Cenotaph, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and service. Light refreshments will follow at the RSL. Contact: Healesville RSL 5962 5017.
Wandin Yallock
THE Rotary Club of Wandin is hosting the Anzac Day Service at the war memorial on the corner of Hunter and Beenak roads in Wandin Yallock with a public wreath-laying ceremony at 8.30am in memory of the servicemen and women of the Seville and Wandin districts, followed by a community morning tea. Frank Nicholls will be honoured with the laying of a wreath at 11am on Sunday, 26 April at this memorial on the 100th anniversary of his death.
Contact: 5964 4422.
Yarra Glen
The Anzac Day march will start at 10.15am at the Yarra Glen Police Station on King Street and proceed to the Memorial Hall for a 10.30am commemorative service, laying of wreaths school presentations, followed by light refreshments along with a sausage sizzle. Contact: Yarra Glen RSL 9730 1913.
Millgrove
THE Millgrove Residents Action Group with River Valley Church and Warburton RSL will hold a dawn service at the Millgrove Park Memorial at 5.45am, followed by a gunfire breakfast at the CFA station. The march will be at Warburton at 10.25am. Contact 5966 5806.
Warburton
THE Anzac Day march will leave from the RSL clubrooms at 10.25am and proceed to the cenotaph for a wreath laying ceremony. Lunch will be available at Warburton RSL following the ceremony.
A dawn service will be held at Millgrove. Contact: Warburton RSL 5966 9874.
Marysville
THE Anzac Day march will assemble at 10.45am for a 11am start down Murchison Street to the cenotaph. The march will be followed by a service at the cenotaph, then refreshments at the Men’s Shed. Contact Marysville RSL.
Lilydale
A DAWN service will be held at 5.45am (assembly from 5.30am) at the cenotaph in the main street. Concludes at 6.45am followed by a march back to the RSL Sub-branch where refreshments will be served and a friendly game of two-up from 9am to 11am. Contact Lilydale RSL 0418 588 360.
Leonard Lawlor who died on 25 April, 1915, will be honoured during the service with the laying of a wreath.
Coldstream Yering War Memorial
Leonard Lawlor who died on 25 April, 1915, will be honoured with the laying of a wreath at the memorial in Coldstream at 11am.
