By Jed Lanyon
Anzac Day, which falls on 25 April, is the national day of remembrance and commemoration for the Australian servicemen and women who died during the 1915 landing at Gallipoli, Turkey, in World War I.
On 25 April 1915, the brave soldiers of Australia and New Zealand landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, entering into their first battle with the intent to capture and secure a safe passage for Allied forces. The valour and determination displayed by the Anzacs will live on and every years Anzac Day services are held throughout the Yarra Ranges 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.
Marches and reunions, and the game of two-up will continue a long tradition of commemoration, and residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join RSL members at the services listed below:
Lilydale RSL will host a dawn service from 5:45am at the town’s war memorial, which will conclude at 6:45am and will be followed by a family sausage sizzle at the RSL, and a game of two-up to. The Lilydale athenaeum and museum are opening at 7am and will be able to trace their ancestors using the computer system there.
Mount Evelyn’s dawn service will begin at 5.45am at Mount Evelyn War Memorial Park, on the corner of Wray Crescent and Birmingham Road, followed by a free community breakfast.
Healesville’s dawn service will begin at 5.45am at Healesville RSL. Then at 10.00am there will be a commemorative march on Church Street, followed by a service at the Healesville Memorial Hall.
Millgrove Residents Action Group is hosting a dawn service at 6.00am by the commemorative rock in the park opposite the shops on Warburton Highway, Millgrove.
There will be a dawn service at the Yarra Junction cenotaph at 5.45am, followed by a breakfast at Upper Yarra RSL. Then at 10.00am there will be a commemorative march assembling at the Commonwealth Bank building in main street Yarra Junction.
There will be a commemorative parade assembled at Warburton RSL at 10.00am. This will be followed by a service at the cenotaph on main street at 10.30am.
Yarra Glen RSL will host a commemorative march starting outside Yarra Glen Police Station at 10.00am. This will be followed by a commemorative service at Yarra Glen memorial Hall at 10.30am.
The Rotary Club of Wandin is hosting the Anzac Day Service at the Wandin cenotaph, on the corner of Hunter and Beenak roads, with a commemorative service taking place at 8.30am, followed by a community morning tea.
