By Casey Neill
Attendance was up at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL sub-branch’s Anzac Day commemorations.
President David Eaton said the dawn and main services went extremely well and attracted big numbers.
He said road works and some concern about safety might have kept people from attending the Melbourne CBD service, and encouraged them to attend local services.
“The weather was perfect,” Mr Eaton said.
“The guest speakers worked out brilliantly.”
Captain Iain Fraser spoke at the dawn service.
The ex-New Zealand army member joined the Victoria Police in 2000, graduated in 2001 and lives in Kalorama.
“He plays veterans cricket for Olinda and he’s an ex-rugby player,” Mr Eaton said.
At the main service the crowd heard from HMAS Cerberus Lieutenant James Kerin.
“One of the highlights was the guy that we had singing the two national anthems at the both services,” Mr Eaton said.
“His name was Arnold Tihema. Everybody just had things to say about him.”
The services featured a minute’s silence for the Christchurch shooting and Sri Lanka bombing victims.
“The feedback I’ve had has all been very positive,” Mr Eaton said.
“I think it was good for the RSL, for the sub-branch.”
