By LIAM DURKIN, TOM HAYES, ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC and KATRINA BRANDON
Morwell
MORWELL’S Dawn Service saw attendees circle the town’s cenotaph to pay their respects.
An estimated turnout of more than 500 people made the slightly earlier rise, with Morwell RSL commencing its service at 5.45am, a quarter of an hour before the more common 6am start time.
The solemnity that goes with Anzac Day was closely observed by all generations, and come the conclusion of formal proceedings, patrons streamed toward the cenotaph to lay a poppy in remembrance.
The Anzac Day parade took place just before midday, with people arriving at 11.30am for an 11.50am take-off.
Members of the Roulettes team flying overhead from RAAF Base East Sale provided a highlight, before the annual march saw the ceremony walk up from the eastern side of Elgin Street.
Bagpipes played in unison with the march, with defence personnel, veterans, their families, cadets, flag bearers and school children proudly marching.
Taking in the full encompassment of ANZAC, the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand were performed, as well as God Save the King.
Guest speaker for Morwell RSL at this year’s service was Commander David Munro, a current serving member now into his 40th year with the Australian Navy.
Apologies were had from local MPs Harriett Shing and Martin Cameron, the latter currently taking on the experience of a lifetime, walking the Kokoda Track.
Traralgon
TRARALGON had a plethora of services open for the community to celebrate Anzac Day last week.
Traditionally, seen in most communities, patrons braved the early morning cold at the Traralgon Cenotaph for the Dawn Service.
Around 1000 people attended the Dawn Service, showing the dedication that locals will give Anzac Day.
The bagpiper made sure they were heard – and seen, standing atop the Traralgon Post Office on the corner of Kay and Franklin Street.
Seen in attendance was Latrobe City Councillor, Dale Harriman, alongside Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester.
Patrons would return to the Traralgon Cenotaph in a few hours’ time for the 10.30am service, but in the meantime, a small number of locals flocked to Gippsland Memorial Park.
Beginning at 8am, Gippsland Memorial Park, Traralgon hosted another Anzac Day service, honouring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Noted during the background of Gippsland Memorial Park, the cemetery held Traralgon’s Anzac Day services long before they were held where they are now, at the Cenotaph.
The cemetery is slowly adding names of those who fought for Australia during the wars on a wall in the war memorial section.
If you think you know someone that should be on the wall, phone Gippsland Memorial Park on 5174 9071, or visit the cemetery in person.
About an hour later in the middle of the morning, the Anzac Day parade made it’s way down Franklin St, before wrapping around to the Cenotaph.
Included in the parade were veterans, family members of veterans wearing the medals of the fallen, sporting clubs and Traralgon schools, which were all led by the City of Traralgon Band.
Forming a circle around the Cenotaph, those involved in the parade were asked one-by-one to lay a wreath on behalf of a certain group, while individuals were invited to come forward afterwards.
The Ode was read and The Last Post vibrated throughout Traralgon through the bugle.
The City of Traralgon Band led the tunes for the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.
Once again, hundreds of people showed their dedication to Anzac Day, lining Franklin St during the parade and standing around the Cenotaph.
Laying wreaths were Councillors Kellie O’Callaghan, Dan Clancey and Harriman once again, alongside Latrobe City Mayor, Darren Howe. The councillors were among many people and community groups to lay wreaths, in an Anzac Day service that lasted nearly two hours.
Junior football was played throughout the morning and into the afternoon at Traralgon’s Duncan Cameron Reserve. Representing the Traralgon and District Junior Football League, South Side JFC and Police Boys JFC played in the Under 9s, U11s, U13s and U15s.
South Side completed a clean sweep of Police Boys in every game to bring Round 1 of the TDJFL to a close.
Moe
CLOSE to 1500 people braved the morning’s cool air to attend Moe’s Anzac Day Dawn Service last Thursday.
Steve Mayes, President of the Moe RSL sub-branch, said the turnout was fantastic.
“We start planning for Anzac Day a year in advance; we’ll start planning for Anzac Day in the next month for next year,” he said.
On a day that means so much, Mr Mayes said the community banded together to pay their respects.
“I just think it’s a day of reverence, and I think it’s a day that everybody recognises and they just pay their respects … to those that are lost, those that are still serving and those that didn’t come out of conflicts in a good way mentally.”
With people from all walks of life, young and old, in attendance at the Moe Dawn Service, Mr Mayes said even the younger generations are aware of the significance of remembering the ANZACs.
“I was talking to my granddaughter the other day, and she was saying they’re doing a project on World War 1, and I find that interesting. I think it’s Australian history, so it’s good that schools are reinforcing it,” he said.
Mr Mayes stressed that war is an ugly way to resolve conflict, but asserted his firm belief in learning history so that it does not repeat itself.
“War is a part of our history, and we can’t change that,” he said.
Following the official remembrance ceremony, attendees were invited inside the RSL for a gold coin donation Gunfire Breakfast.
Mr Mayes thanked everyone who attended the service and for everyone’s understanding while the RSL team experienced some technical difficulties with the sound system.
In true Moe style however, they fought on.
Hundreds made it to the Moe Anzac Day Parade last Thursday despite the weather’s intentions.
People lined up on either side of Albert Street waiting for the 10.30am parade to start.
Whistles and excitement filled those in attendance as current soldiers, veterans, local emergency service crews, scouts, and school groups marched the streets, and the Latrobe Valley Aero Club traced the skies.
After the march, the large group gathered around the front of the Moe RSL with wreaths and family in hand, welcomed by Moe RSL President, Steve Mayes.
In his address, Mr Mayes acknowledged the presence of notable figures such as councillors Brad Law and Sharon Gibson, Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent, and Moe Racing Club Chairman, Michael Vanderfeen, who was the guest speaker for the day.
Following speeches, people laid down their wreaths, which spilled over the Cenotaph.
Concluding the event, attendees enjoyed the warmth and shelter of the RSL and shared a meal together.
Yinnar
AT the dawn of light, in remembrance of the fight, about 80 people from the Yinnar community gathered at 6am last Thursday to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the conflict of war.
Amid the sombre reflections of the past, Yinnar stood proud, sharing the unique significance of the location of the Anzac Day ceremony. Adjacent to the Yinnar Cenotaph lies a living testament to the fallen, there grows a direct descendant of the Lone Pine from Gallipoli, a symbol of shared history and resilience.
While at Lone Pine, soldier Thomas Keith McDowell picked up one of the pine cones from the shattered tree, and his aunt grew four seedlings from the plant. The seedlings were planted on the 50th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in 1965. Turkish pine is a tricky species to grow, and years passed before they managed to get 150 pine trees from the four in existence.
Soldier Roy Gauer was one of the soldiers wounded in Gallipoli and later awarded one of the soldier settlement farms in Yinnar. In 1969, Roy planted the tree right next to the Cenotaph. There are many Pine trees across the country, but most are Aleppo Pine and other species rather than the direct descendants of the Lone Pine grown right in Yinnar.
“For us, this year, mentioning the Lone Pine and getting the knowledge out there that we have one and that it is a direct descendant of the Lone Pine from the battle. That was really special for me to bring that up,” MC retired Captain Luke Townsend said.
“It’s a real joy to be here with my brother and nephew on Anzac Day. We don’t usually get to hang out together on this day because we all have different jobs. It was really nice that he came and chose to do this parade here.”
Lieutenant Owen Townsend, Royal Australian Engineers, Captain Townsend’s brother, Signaller James Townsend, and Private Jeremy Campbell, both from Simpson Barracks Watsonia, were also present to help with the ceremony.
