ALL members of the community are being invited to remember those who gave their lives for their country at ANZAC services across the Gannawarra Shire.
Kerang RSL sub-branch president Darren Berry said the tradition of honouring those who served in the Australian Defence Force is especially strong in rural towns.
“It’s a real honour to put on the ANZAC day service for our community,” he said.
“A lot of people have had family members serve, and for many it can be quite an emotional day.
“We at the Kerang RSL sub-branch and other surrounding area branches welcome affiliate members and anyone from our community.
“Please be encouraged to proudly wear your families’ service medals in memory of our forefathers who gave us the freedoms we now enjoy.
“Even if your family hasn’t had direct involvement in service, we invite anyone to freely come and celebrate our amazing country and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Kerang RSL dawn service will begin shortly after 5:45am at the cenotaph opposite the RSL branch next to Atkinson Park.
The service will be followed by a traditional gunfire breakfast.
A march will be held at 9:45am, with community members asked to assemble at the clocktower on the corner of Victoria and Wellington streets.
Several schools will be involved in the march, including: Kerang South Primary, Kerang Primary, St Joseph’s Primary, Kerang Christian College and Kerang Technical High School.
Members of the public are encouraged to lay wreaths in tribute.
After the march and ceremony, members are invited back to the Kerang RSL clubrooms.
“Hopefully we can be a good influence in remembering the fallen and use this day as a pivotal moment for our community to value our freedom and wonderful country,” Mr Berry said.
“Decent values, respect and unity are battles worth fighting for.
“I think there’s a resurgence of respect for traditions like ANZAC day, and it’s great because people are still willing to remember the sacrifices paid for us to enjoy what we have today.”
In the afternoon, a special service will be held at Baptcare Northaven facility for those who can’t attend the main service.
Mr Berry said the special service in the aged care facility can be quite emotional.
“Most of them were children or teenagers during the second World War, last year a number of them were crying.
“It’s a day that brings up a lot of memories that are becoming less immediate for many of the younger generations.”
The Cohuna Leitchville RSL’s dawn service will be held at 5:45am at the cenotaph.
A march held at 6am will assemble at the post office and continue down King George Street to Memorial Park at the civic centre for the laying of wreaths.
A light luncheon will be served for members at the Cohuna Leitchville RSL rooms following the service.
Anzac Day services in the region
KERANG
The dawn service will be held at 5:45am at the cenotaph next to Atkinson Park.
The march will assemble at 9:45am at the clocktower and head towards the cenotaph for speeches and wreath laying ceremony.
COHUNA and LEITCHVILLE
The dawn service will be held at the cenotaph at 5:45am.
The march will begin at 8:55am along King George Street to Memorial Park.
The march will be led by the Bendigo Pipe band, with the laying of wreaths to follow.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM
The dawn service will be held at 6am at the Barham cenotaph, followed by a gunfire breakfast at cluBarham.
The march will take place from Barham to Koondrook from 11am, followed by wreath laying at the Koondrook RSL on Arbuthnot Street.
MURRABIT
ANZAC commemorations will start at 10:30am at the Murrabit Hall.
Guest speaker Dennis Greenwood will reflect on the achievements of WW1 flying ace, Roby Manual.
A service at the cenotaph will follow with a community lunch held behind the Murrabit Hall from 11:30am provided by the Murrabit and District Lions Club.
MYSTIC PARK
A ceremony will be held at the Mystic Park cenotaph from 11:30am, led by guest speaker Julie Smith.
A barbecue will follow on the lawns of the Mystic Park Hotel.
BOORT
A dawn service will be held at the Mysia War Memorial School at 6:30am followed by a free breakfast.
A ceremony will follow at the Boort Memorial Hall at 10am, including guest speaker Kate Rhook.
