By KATH GANNAWAY
THIS year marks the second year of World War One with a focus on the first battles of the Western Front, including Somme and Fromelles.
The Somme offensive, also known as the battle of the Somme, was the series of battles fought between 1 July and 18 November, 1916, along the Somme Valley in France.
Fromelles was the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front.
Anzac Day services will be held across the Yarra Valley on Monday, 25 April, recognising the sacrifice made by generations of Australians at war.
For many, the day will start with the dawn service, 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 the services listed below.
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, with a public wreath-laying ceremony at 8.30am, followed by a community morning tea. A service will also be held at the new Silvan memorial in front of the primary school at 10.30am.
Contact: Kevin Parker, 5964 4422.
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, Yarra Junction. A gold coin donation would be appreciated.
Assembly is at 10am for a 10.30am start to the march to the cenotaph. A friendly game of two-up at the RSL, and lunch will be available.
Contact: 5967 1771.
Yarra Glen
YARRA Glen RSL’s march will start at the Yarra Glen Police Station at 10.15am for a service at the cenotaph at the Memorial Hall at 10.30am. The service will include a tribute in recognition of the 50-year anniversary of Long Tan in Vietnam. Local primary school students will make presentations. Morning tea and sausage sizzle to follow.
Contact: Ed Bartosh, 0438 508 235.
Millgrove
THE Millgrove community in conjunction with 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: Maureen Halit, 5966 5806.
Warburton
THE Anzac Day march will leave from the RSL clubrooms at 10.15am and proceed to the cenotaph for a wreath-laying ceremony. Light refreshments will be available at the Warburton RSL following the ceremony.
A dawn service will be held at Millgrove.
Contact: Lindsay Fisher, 5966 9874.
Marysville
THE Anzac Day march will assemble at 10.45am and proceed down Murchison Street to the cenotaph. The march commences at 11am and will be followed by a service at the cenotaph and refreshments following.
Contact: Greg Paul, 5963 3222.
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.
Community sausage sizzle by Lions Club in Anderson Street, along with WWI re-enactment members at the front of the RSL in Anderson Street, from 7am.
Contact: Don Parsons, 0418 588 360.
Mount Evelyn
Mount Evelyn RSL will start the day with a dawn service at 5.45am at the War Memorial Park and breakfast at the RSL Hall to follow. The RSL will also host traditional two-up games and lead a Remembrance Service at the York on Lilydale starting at 1pm.
Contact: 9736 4384.
Kinglake
A DAWN service will be held at 5.30am at St Peter’s WWI Memorial Church, corner of Whittlesea-Kinglake and Baldspur roads. A barbecue breakfast will follow.
Contact: 9716 2042.
