By Tanya Steele
A brisk and moody Melbourne morning saw many gathered for the Anzac Day Dawn service at Upwey Belgrave RSL.
Over one thousand people stood solemnly, listened and paid their respects as a misty rain fell over them while dawn broke to the sounds of the reveille.
Ross Jonson led the service and Michael Coe came in as guest speaker, with standing room only, displaying a united acknowledgement from the community.
Mr Jonson opened with a poem from a digger from WW1 and acknowledged those who had lost their lives and the ongoing support needed for those who had survived.
“As of last Remembrance Day 103,021 Australian military personnel made the ultimate sacrifice and given up their lives for their country, their families and for us,” he said.
“We stand here to honour them – but we honour not only them, but we also honour the thousands upon thousands of those who have survived war over the years but have been plagued by the immense trauma of physical and mental health issues ongoing because of their service.”
Mr Coe took the attendees of the service through some history of the Special Air Service (SAS) of Britain and the development of groups of coastwatchers in the northern parts of Australia and the Solomon Islands, unfolding the story of Ruby Boye – the only female coastwatcher in WW2.
Ruby Boye was made an honorary member of the Women’s Royal Australian Nac (WRAN) after learning Morse code and providing vital intelligence services during WW2.
“Ruby decided she would do something…she delivered incredible intelligence,” he said.
Floral tributes were laid by many after the guard cadets of the 31ACU assembled.
The service continued and the rain intensified, but this did not deter those in attendance as they marked a minute of silence – broken only by nearby kookaburras heralding the dawn.
The New Zealand and Australian national anthems were sung by Tim O’Leary as the flag was raised and then RSL President Fred Schmager stood down the guard.
Mr Schmager said he wanted to thank all the volunteers and asked people to come back and enjoy the RSL throughout the rest of the year – all are welcome.
“We have two-up later in the day and we hope to see you later in the year,” he said.
Ron King and John Weeks and a team of volunteers from 3MDR broadcast the service live on-site – interviewing service members and RSL volunteers as the community went inside to get warm and have breakfast.
Mr King said it was great to the love and respect for all those who served and their families.
“Being part of the broadcast gave me an insight into the wonderful work all the volunteers at the Upwey Belgrave RSL do,” he said.
Mr Weeks said that one thing that stood out on the day was that those showed up at the dawn service were very quiet, very respectful, and almost reverential.
“Even when it rained, they didn’t put up umbrellas above them above themselves and I thought that was impressive.”
The duo did a number of interviews and Mr Weeks said the stories that they heard during the were powerful stories.
“I think we need to keep those stories alive – alive, and not to be forgotten,” he said.
Mr King said the RSL was a special place full of people who really care for veterans, their families and the community.
“One of the volunteers we interviewed said that he didn’t have to serve, but volunteering was his way of giving back to those who did,” he said.
“There’s still a lot of hurt involved and from the wars and things like that – and the RSL is really doing a top job in supporting those people who are in that sort of stressful mode or even to the suicide point,” Mr Weeks said.
“I was very impressed by what the RSL offered at the service – it really made an impact on me on the day,” he said.
Committee member David Brimacombe finished the services and discussed the future of the RSL, which is a traditional and non-gaming venue.
“Today, our main focus remains to continuing to provide services for our veterans, young and not so young, their families and to act as a broader community hub – we receive no direct state or federal funding.
“This is your RSL all year around, we especially extend our warmest invitation to our youngest service members.”
“We’re all too aware that so many of these people have not engaged with the RSL and yet, some can really struggle at times. Either way, struggling or not. Please remember we are here for you.”
“We are your home.”
