This Friday marks 110 years since soldiers serving in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) landed on the shores of Gallipoli to face their first major conflict of World War I.
Sunbury’s annual commemoration of the historic campaign will begin at 6pm on Thursday 24 April with a youth vigil at the Stawell St War Memorial. This will involve members of the town’s uniformed youth organisations such as Scouts, Guides, emergency service youth units, and cadets, standing silently to honour those who have served.
Members of the community are invited to visit the memorial throughout the night to pay their respects and support those taking turns to keep watch.
The Anzac Day dawn services, organised by members of Sunbury’s RSL, starts at 6am Friday 25 April, and pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand forces, as well as all who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Open to all, the service reflects the time of the first Gallipoli landings, and will feature recitals, hymns, and a wreath-laying ceremony. Hot drinks will be available.
At 9.50am (earlier than in previous years) the Anzac Day march will leave Brook St and make its way along Barkly St to the War Memorial. The mid-morning service starts at 10.15am, with Sunbury RSL veteran Peter McLennan leading the ceremony.
As in previous years, thousands of spectators are expected to attend and are encouraged to arrive early to line the route to support veterans, their descendants, serving members of the Australian Defence Force, and others. A gold coin BBQ will follow the morning service.
For those unable to attend, the full Anzac Day service will be broadcast live on Sunbury Radio 99.3fm from 6am for the dawn service, and then from 9.45am for the morning service.
Volunteers representing Sunbury RSL are raising funds for veterans and their families in need this week, offering commemorative badges at eight locations across Sunbury:
- Rosenthal shopping centre
- Bunnings
- Sunbury Square
- Evans St
- Brook St
- Big W
- Woolworths
- Target store
Click here for a full list of Anzac Day services across Hume.
