Hannah Hammoud
Crowds gathered outside the Keilor Community Hub as the sun shone down on the 2024 Anzac Day service.
Keilor Historical Society president Aaron Magro welcomed hundreds of community members to what he described as the largest attendance ever.
Keilor Historical Society vice president Susan Jennison addressed attendees for the 110th anniversary year of World War One.
“The 25th of April – Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War,” she said.
Mrs Jennison encouraged attendees to reflect on the Roll of Honour which still hangs on the wall of the Old Shire Hall, and includes the names of the soldiers and nurses who served on active service overseas in the Great war of 1914-18.
“Six deaths are recorded on the Keilor Roll of Honour. Guy Bucknall enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps in March 1916 aged 21-years-old and after training sailed to England arriving in Plymouth, December 1916,” Mrs Jennison shared.
“His story is only one of the many who lost their lives or were wounded or who returned, but with many stories to tell. Their families of course had endured harrowing times not having anything but occasional correspondence.”
Mrs Jennison spoke about the fundraising projects within the local area which helped support troops overseas.
“Keilor with its small population was typical of so many villages initially raising money for the Patriotic Fund, followed by the formation of its own Red Cross Branch. The Keilor State school organised successful flower shows,” she said.
“There were many other fundraising projects and goods such as bed linen, towels, washers, socks, bandages, kit bags, constituted some of the parcels and contents that were sent to the troops.
“There is so much more detail to this story, but learn about and read all of the records that exist about those who did take part. That’s your project to learn about these stories.”
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic was joined by fellow councillors Bruce Lancashire, Maria Kerr, Virginia Tachos and Sam David.
The Keilor 1st Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers formed a guard of honour around the Cenotaph on the Old Keilor Highway where they later laid wreaths.
The Last Post was played followed by a minute’s silence as hundreds of community members bowed their heads in commemoration of the day.
