By Corey Everitt
Gembrook RSL’s new committee ran a spectacular event for their first Anzac Day service to a large crowd who braved the rain.
Gembrook held both a dawn service and a march at 11am this Anzac Day, both drawing a large crowd to pay their respects.
Starting at Main Street, attendees formed ranks for the march down Redwood Road to the Cenotaph at Remembrance Park.
Following the veterans at the front were the 1st Gembrook Scout Group, Gembrook Fire Brigade, Gembrook Primary School and many others in the local community.
During the service the cenotaph was guarded by a catafalque party from HMAS Cerberus who stood fast while attendees opened up their umbrellas and got undercover while the rain began to pelt.
RSL president Neville Bryant led the service, introducing secretary Dave Tracy who gave a moving poem written by him and fellow veterans of the Navy during the Vietnam war.
School captains from Gembrook Primary School also recited poems made from fellow students who wished to honour those who served the country.
Scouts and school students then were invited up to lay their specially made wreaths at the cenotaph where then The Ode was recited with The Last Post played by Casey from the Cardinia Civic Concert Band.
This year’s service was organised by an all-new committee of the RSL with an executive made up of all veterans and ex-serviceman who joined the sub-branch in the last few years.
Bryant gave particular thanks to his wife and treasurer Bev Bryant, secretary Dave Tracy, vice-president Richard Bahnsen and Sally Bahnsen for their work in organising the service.
