Sunbury, Macedon to honour Anzac heroes
Mount Macedon’s giant memorial cross and Sunbury Memorial Hall will again be focal points of the area’s Anzac Day commemorations, with up to 5000 people expected to gather for dawn services at both locations. Free buses to the memorial cross service will depart towns across the Macedon Ranges thanks to a $15,000 state government grant announced on Monday. Bookings are essential. Visit www.organscoaches.com.au or phone 5422 1788. Click here, for details of local services throughout Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges
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A time to reflect on realities of war
Anzac Day is a time to reflect on and remember the experiences of war, Wyndham RSL sub-branch president Daryl Ryan says. “It’s about remembering the older Diggers and the younger Diggers, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “It’s a time where I remember the mates that I lost in war, a time I spend reflecting on those 60 young men from Werribee who died in the First World War.
Melton remembers those who served
Ian Lawrey has watched with pride as Melton’s Anzac Day commemorations grow larger each year. “People come together to pay their respects,” Mr Lawrey says. “They remember what Australians have done for the freedoms we have today.”
Whittlesea RSL offers a place to reflect
Ned Panuzzo and Jack Salau (pictured) had very different experiences of the Vietnam war, but the two men are united in their connection to the southern Vietnamese port town of Vung Tau. Both Whittlesea RSL sub-branch members served with the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group (1ALSG) in Vung Tau, a year apart.
Gallipoli’s seeds of friendship continue to grow
A century after the Gallipoli battles, Australians and Turks maintain strong ties and friendships. Strong relationships and alliances were formed during the war, says Ramazan Altintas, president of the Turkish sub-branch of the Victorian Returned Services League.
My place: Eric Johnston
At 97 years of age, Wyndham Vale’s Eric Johnston has seen it all. The former World War II prisoner of war sat down with Adem Saban to reflect on his time overseas and the years that followed.
Website honours Footscray Anzacs
Frank McCoubrie’s body may not have come back from France’s Bullecourt battlefields, but his memory lives on, thanks to Footscray Historical Society. The society has honoured Footscray Anzacs, including McCoubrie, through a project that has made digital copies of nearly 1500 handwritten certificate of appreciation applications, matching them with nearly 2000 names on Footscray Town Hall’s honour board. Visit anzac.footscrayhistoricalsociety.org.au
UK town seeks Williamstown troop memorabilia
A British museum is trying to trace the descendants of young Anzac sappers from Williamstown, who trained in Brightlingsea, Essex, during the Great War. The coastal town was the training base for as many as 10,000 Anzacs between 1916 and 1919.
ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS
Altona
April 24, 2.30pm
There will be a march from Altona RSL on Sargood Street to the Pier Street cenotaph for 3pm service then back to the club on Sunday.
6am, April 25
Dawn service at the Pier Street cenotaph then back to the club for a traditional gunfire breakfast and a game of two-up.
Bacchus Marsh
April 25, 5.45am
Dawn service at the cenotaph on Main Street.
Ballan
April 25, 1.30pm
Commemorative march starting at the Ballan cenotaph, Inglis Street.
Broadmeadows
April 25, 5.45am
A Dawn Service will be held at the Maygar Barracks, Camp Road
Caroline Springs
April 25, 6am
Anzac Day Dawn Service at the memorial, located on The Parade (rear of the basketball stadium) Caroline Springs, from 6am on April 25 followed by the popular Gunfire Breakfast ($12) at The Club on Western Highway, Caroline Springs. Refreshments will also be served at Pipes Café in the Caroline Springs Leisure Centre adjacent to the memorial.
Craigieburn
April 25, 10am
The Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee has organised a commemorative service at the Craigieburn SES Headquarters, 151 Craigieburn Road West.
Footscray
April 24, 11am
An Anzac Day march and service will be held at Footscray RSL, 48 Geelong Road this Sunday. The march will head down Geelong Road to the war memorial in Footscray Park before returning to the RSL for a noon service.
Gisborne
April 25, 10.30am
Service at the War memorial at Howey Reserve
Keilor East
April 25, 5.50am
Dawn Service at Keilor East RSL, Hoffmans Road followed by a Gunfire Breakfast for gold coin donation – all welcome
Kyneton
April 25, 6am
Dawn service at cenotaph, followed by a gunfire breakfast at Kyneton RSL
April 25, 9.30
A march will be held on Mollison Street, followed by a service at the cenotaph.
Lancefield
April 25, 8.30am
Service at the Cenotaph
Melton
April 25, 6am
A dawn service will begin at 6am at Melton Civic Centre, before a gunfire breakfast at Melton Country Club.
April 25, 9am
The Anzac Day march will start at Alexander Street at 9am and end at the civic centre.
Newport
April 25, 1.30am
Spotswood-Kingsville RSL will be joining Newport RSL for the march from Newport RSL on Market Street to the Mason Street cenotaph for 2pm service then back to the club.
Riddells Creek
April 25, 5.45am
Dawn service at the memorial gates at 5.45am
Romsey
April 25, 7.30am
Wreath laying service at cenotaph at 7.30am
Sunbury
April 25, 5.45am
Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Stawell Street.
April 25, 10am
Traditional Parade commencing from the Post Office followed by refreshments at the RSL hall.
Sunshine
April 24, 2.45pm
March from Council Chambers at Alezander Street to Sunshine RSL followed by refreshments
April 25, 7am
Service and Gunfire breakfast for gold-coin donation – all welcome
Werribee
April 24, 2.30pm
The annual pre-Anzac Day march will be along Watton Street from 2.30pm on Sunday
April 25, 6.30am
Dawn service will be at the Station Place cenotaph.
Williamstown
April 24, 2.30pm
March from Williamstown RSL on Ferguson Street to the Ferguson Street cenotaph for 3pm service then back to the club.
April 25, 5.45am
Dawn service at the Ferguson Street cenotaph then back to the club for a traditional gunfire breakfast and two-up from 10am.
Whittlesea
April 25, 2pm
Whittlesea RSL’s Anzac Day service is at the bowls club, 101 Church Street, Whittlesea. There will be march to the arch and soldier memorials, followed by a service back at the bowls club.
Woodend
April 25, 11.15am
March on High Street followed by a service at Woodend RSL.
CLICK HERE FOR A MAP SHOWING THESE SERVICES AND OTHERS THROUGHOUT VICTORIA
Email donnici@starweekly.com.au to add a local service or make corrections.
