By Parker McKenzie
RSL sub-branches throughout the Dandenong Ranges honoured servicemen and women for Anzac Day on Tuesday 25 April.
Monbulk RSL held both a dawn service and a mid-morning march from the centre of Monbulk, before a mid-afternoon service.
Monbulk RSL President Bill Ford said both services were well attended by the local community.
“We had our dawn service and around 1500-odd people turned up for that,” he said.
“Then we do a gunfire breakfast, and we would have served anywhere from 200 to 300 meals.”
He said during the march, veterans and their families, CFA in uniform, local guides and scouts, local students and members of the community proudly walked down main street Monbulk.
“The Anzac appeal was done again in Seville and Monbulk, and the support from the community was outstanding as well,” he said.
“I want to give a huge thanks to the community for their support for the veterans and the RSL.”
Mr Ford also attended Emerald Secondary School and Emerald Primary School on Wednesday 26 April to hold an Anzac Day Service for the students.
At the Dandenong Ranges RSL Sub Branch, around 1000 locals attended between the dawn service at Anzac Avenue of Honour memorial in Ferny Creek and the mid-morning march on the Sassafras Village Green.
A gunfire breakfast was later prepared for those attending the dawn service by the 1st Ferny Creek Scout Troop and refreshments were later served in the Dandenong Ranges RSL clubrooms in Sassafras.
“It was wonderful to see so many local people join in commemorations to honour those who have served Australia in uniform, some of whom unfortunately didn’t return home to the thanks of a grateful nation,” Dandenong Ranges RSL Sub Branch President Rob Richards said.
Australian Army Personnel from Alpha Company, 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, paraded a catafalque party and provided guest speakers, and Casey MP Aaron Violi and Yarra Ranges Councillor Andrew Fullagar were in attendance during a service that recognised the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
