By Derek Schlennstedt
Anzac Day, which falls on April 25, is the national day of remembrance and commemoration for the Australian servicemen and women who died during the 1915 landing at Gallipoli, Turkey, in World War I.
On 25 April 1915, the brave soldiers of Australia and New Zealand landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, entering into their first battle with the intent to capture and secure a safe passage for Allied forces. The valour and determination displayed by the Anzacs will live on and every years Anzac Day services are held throughout the Yarra Ranges on Monday 25 April, recognising the sacrifice made by generations of Australians at war.
For many, the day will start with the dawn service, followed by a gunfire breakfast.
Marches and reunions, and the game of two-up will continue a long tradition of commemoration, and residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join RSL members at the services listed below:
Upwey-Belgrave
A dawn service will be held from 6am in Upwey, at 1 Mast Gully Road, followed by a gunfire breakfast at 6.30am. A march will begin at 9.45am from Main Street to the RSL, followed by a 10am service.
Monbulk
The Monbulk RSL will host a dawn service from 6am, followed by a morning march from 9.30am at Mitre 10, with a service at 10am to follow.
Emerald
Emerald RSL will hold a dawn service from 5.30am, followed by a 10:45am march from the town’s cenotaph, before a 10.55am morning service. At 2pm there will be a two-up at Emerald RSL.
Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges RSL will hold a dawn service at the Anzac Avenue of honour memorial on the corner of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Sherbrooke Road from 6:30am, followed by a breakfast at Ferny Creek Scout Hall. A march will begin at Wallaby Avenue in Sassafras at 10:30am, with a service to follow. Refreshment in the Sassafras RSL to follow.
Cockatoo
Cockatoo’s dawn service will commence at 6am at the RSL clubrooms, at 20 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, followed by a gunfire breakfast. A main service will start at 10.30am.
Gembrook
Gembrook RSL will hold a dawn service at 6am at the cenotaph on the corner of Redwood and Gembrook roads, followed by a gunfire breakfast at the RSL clubrooms. A march will begin at 10.45am, followed by a service and a barbecue lunch.
Lilydale
Lilydale RSL will host a dawn service from 5:45am at the town’s war memorial, which will conclude at 6:45am and will be followed by a family sausage sizzle at the RSL, and a game of two-up to. The Lilydale athenaeum and museum are opening at 7am and will be able to trace their ancestors using the computer system there.
Wandin
The Rotary Club of Wandin is hosting the Anzac Day Service at the Wandin cenotaph, on the corner of Hunter and Beenak roads, with a commemorative service taking place at 8.30am, followed by a community morning tea.
Silvan
A morning service will be held at the Silvan War memorial, on the corner of White Street and Silvan-Monbulk Road, on Anzac Day, at 10.30am.
Mooroolbark
An Anzac Day service will be held in Hookey Park, Charles Street, Mooroolbark on Tuesday April 25, 2018 at 12 noon.
Mount Evelyn
Mount Evelyn’s dawn service will begin at 5.45am at Mount Evelyn War Memorial Park, on the corner of Wray Crescent and Birmingham Road, followed by a free community breakfast.
