Rain unable to dampen spirits

Poet and author Jim Brown brings an evocative Anzac tale to the crowd at Mount Evelyn. 167603

Weather conditions could not hamper the spirit of Anzac Day, and residents in the Dandenong Ranges came out in droves to attend dawn services and join with returned servicemen and women for traditional marches and services at local cenotaphs.
Residents lined the streets of Mount Evelyn, Monbulk, Emerald, Gembrook, Upwey-Belgrave, Ferny Creek and Cockatoo to applaud and remember the services of Australian soldiers, both past and present.
Family members proudly wore the medals of family members, men and women, who served their country in the theatres of war around the world, and Belgrave and Upwey communities came together in the early hours of the morning to pay their respects at the Upwey- Belgrave RSL for a touching dawn service.
Over the weekend just gone, local football clubs lined up for ‘The Ode’ before heading out on to the ground for the Aussie Rules Anzac Day clashes that have become an integral part of the commemoration.
Visit mailcommunity.com for more photos attached to this report, and our Anzac Day photo spread under ‘anzac-day-in-the-yarra-ranges’.