“We reflected on those who gave their today for our tomorrow…”
ATTENDING the Anzac Day dawn service in Emerald on the centenary will be an occasion the local community will never forget.
The Dandenong Ranges communities have many places to attend dawn services and this year, 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli, many thousands attended these events.
The Emerald Anzac Memorial created a new atmosphere.
To be joined by thousands of locals braving the cold and wet conditions was humbling, as we reflected on those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
I take this opportunity to thank the Emerald RSL, Shire of Cardinia, State Government and Jason Wood MP for contributions and assistance to make this memorial one of the best in the state.
Not only for Dandenong Ranges residents, but a destination for many across the state to visit and pay their respects to our fallen heroes.
The local Anzac spirit continued with the Emerald versus Gembrook Anzac football match on the Sunday following Anzac Day.
To honour Doug Livermore, a lifelong local and returned veteran, he was invited to flip the coin, a 1922 penny, the year of his birth.
This penny was framed during the day and presented to Doug’s grandson, a proud Emerald player.
Joined by Jason Wood, Federal Member for La Trobe, we proudly wore our half Emerald, half Gembrook football jumpers to award the winning team, Emerald Football Club, a donation to the club and for their local Emerald RSL.
Congratulations to both teams for their performance on the day and the entire local communities for the respect and honour so many showed in thanks of our Anzacs.
Lest we forget.
