50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, the Emerald RSL sub-branch will be commemorating those who served in the conflict – and others – this Anzac Day on Tuesday 25 April.
Approximately 60,000 Australians served during the Vietnam War before it ended on 30 April 1975, and 521 were killed and more than 3000 wounded during the country’s longest running war.
Emerald RSL President Peter Maloney said this year’s theme is Vietnam, where he served, and National Service.
“We decided to honour all the servicemen who were called up to national service and those who served in Vietnam,” he said.
“Poppies were planted around over the weekend and Vietnam memorial signs will be put up around Emerald, and the town will be covered in poppies.”
Conscription was introduced in November 1964 to boost the size of the Australian Army during the Vietnam War, which will also be recognised during the services.
Emerald RSL will hold a Dawn Service from 5am at Anzac Place, 3 Memorial Drive Emerald, and a march from the Town Centre of Emerald at 10am before the Morning Service at 11am.
Mr Maloney said on the Saturday prior to ANZAC Day, the RSL will be involved in Emerald Football and Netball Club’s game against Seville.
“The football on Saturday, on the 22nd, is the traditional ANZAC Day ceremonial clash,” he said.
“We present the ANZAC medals to the best on court and best on ground.”
Gembrook RSL sub-branch will be holding an Anzac Day dawn service at 6am, followed by a gun fire breakfast at JAC Russell Park.
Participants in the march will assemble at the corner of Redwood Road and Main Road at 10.30am to commence marching at 10.45am, with a service held at Remembrance Park at 11am.
Refreshments will be available at the RSL club rooms on Main Road after the service.
The Upwey-Belgrave RSL sub-branch will hold a 6am dawn service and a 9.30am gathering for a march from the local IGA to the sub-branch on Upwey’s main street.
The day service will be held at 10am.
The Cockatoo RSL sub-branch will host a 6am dawn service, followed by free gunfire breakfast or egg and bacon rolls.
At 10.20am, the march will step off from the local primary cchool on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, with the main service starting at 10.30am.
The will be a complimentary light morning tea and ‘cuppa’.
There will also be a sausage sizzle, with a cost of $2.50 for a sausage in bread.
There will be some static displays of military vehicles and weather permitting a fly over 11am.
Live music will be held from 2pm,
The Monbulk RSL sub-branch will conduct a dawn service at 5.45am, with a gun fire breakfast held afterwards.
A march will begin at St George’s Anglican Church at 9.30am, followed by a main service at 10am.
The Dandenong Ranges RSL sub-branch will be holding a 6.30am dawn service at the Ferny Creek World War One memorial, on the corner of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Sherbrooke Road.
After a march along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road at 10.30am, a commemorative service will then be held at the Sassafras Village Green.
