The 2025 Anzac Day marks the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
Heading into this special Anzac Day, Star Mail looked back at the years of 2005 and 2015 which respectively marked the 90th anniversary and centenary of the Anzacs’ sacrifice to fight for the peace of the world.
In 2005, Healesville soldier Gareth Ballantine joined thousands of Australians in honouring the Anzacs at Gallipoli on Anzac Day.
Mr Ballantine, an Army Private with Australia’s Federation Guard, was one of a select group who provided the ceremonial guard for the dawn service at Anzac Cove and the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine.
The Gallipoli assignment was his first overseas.
Mr Ballantine said he was tremendously proud to be talking in the 90th anniversary commemoration as part of the Federation Guard contingent.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and it is hard to fathom that I am actually here,” he said.
“I was blown away by the guided tour we had of the battlefields. I have read about it a lot and heard stories but to actually see what they went through and how they went about it just blew me away and it’s something that I will never forget.”
In 2015, right in time for the Anzac centenary, the Healesville Avenue of Honour received a boost with the unveiling of new signage.
An Avenue of Honour is an avenue of trees that commemorates those who have served in armed conflicts.
In an effort to reinvigorate the commemorative avenue, the main plaque near Le Pine Funerals, along the Maroondah Highway, featured the names of soldiers from the Healesville RSL’s Honour Roll.
At the opening, then Casey MP Tony Smith spoke about the significance of the plaque and the centenary to the Yarra Ranges.
Mr Smith implored the community to reflect on the sacrifices of those honoured through the plaque.
“These were people who were volunteers, who jumped up to help because they believed in our values,” he said.
“They believed in the values of our allies and were prepared to do something about it.
“We’ve had 100 years to reflect; now it’s time to reflect like never before, as a nation and as a community.”
While Avenue of Honour received the gift, St Brigid’s Primary School hosted an information session about the history of Anzacs in World War I and the Gallipoli campaign, inviting students, parents and family members.
Students gathered to watch a presentation about the Anzacs and then made their way to the front of the school where turf had been laid to form a mini version of Flanders Fields under a flag flying at half-mast.
Students Lakoda Scopel and Vincent Belford led a ceremony of remembrance and commemoration before other students, teachers and guests.
Student Perry Byron brought forward an oak sapling to be planted on the school grounds as a marker of the significance of the Anzac centenary and Brother Darcy Byron proudly wore and presented a genuine slouch hat from the war.
At the end of the ceremony, students, teachers and guests were invited to place poppies made by the students into the fresh turf to recreate the sea of poppies of Flanders Fields.
