Lest we forget: Bellarine Anzac Day guide

THE Bellarine community will come together this Anzac Day to remember and recognise the service and sacrifice of members of the Australian Defence Force.

Originally a commemoration of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces on Gallipoli on April 25 1915, Anzac Day is a public expression of gratitude and reflection resonates to the present day.

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch will be conducting ANZAC Day commemoration services at the Cenotaph Ocean Grove (Ocean Grove Park) and Cenotaph Barwon Heads (Barwon Heads Community Hall).

The Dawn Service, conducted by Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch, starts at 6am and will include Piper and Bugler at 6.15am.

Tea and light breakfast will be provided at old fire station building, corner of Hodgson Street and The Avenue at the conclusion of the service, thanks to Rotary Ocean Grove and the RSL members.

Barwon Heads March participants will meet at 8.30am on the corner of Hitchcock Ave and Bridge Street for an 8.45am step-off and service at 9am. The March will be accompanied by the Geelong RSL Pipes and Drums.

The service will be led by the Vice President of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-branch John Dickinson and the hymns led by the Barwon Heads Choral.

The laying of wreaths will be lead by the Vice President along with Federal, State and Local Government representatives.

All are then welcome to stay for refreshments.

Ocean Grove March participants are to form up at 9.30am in front of the Commonwealth Bank, in The Terrace, Ocean Grove.

At 9.45am sharp the March will step off and proceed down The Terrace and turn right into Presidents Avenue, with then turn right into The Avenue to the Cenotaph.

The March will be accompanied by the Geelong RSL Pipes and Drums. The Service, which will be at 10am, will be led by the President of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-branch Kel Arnott, and include a Catafalque and Flag Party from the 8th/7th Battalion Alpha Company, The Geelong Concert Band and the Coryule Choir.

The laying of wreaths will be led by the President along with federal, state and local government representatives. All are then welcome back to the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL at the Bowling Club, 18 The Terrace for refreshments.

Three Anzac Day services will be held in the Borough of Queenscliffe this year on Anzac Day.

Dawn Service at 5.45am in the Ocean View Car Park (also known as the Bullring) at the southern end of Hesse Street, Queenscliff.

Anzac Day Service at 9am at the Point Lonsdale Cenotaph (March from the corner of Point Lonsdale Road and Kirk Road at 8.30am).

Anzac Day Service at 11am at Fort Queenscliff (March from the Queenscliff Post Office at 10.45am; assemble from 10.30am).

Drysdale Commemorative Ceremony at 10am in the Drysdale Primary School Assembly Hall located in Collins Street.

Veterans march at 10.55am and wreath laying service, which will be held at the Cenotaph in High Street (adjacent to the CFA Station). Members of the public are welcome to lay a wreath immediately after the formal wreath laying service.

The Leopold Memorial Dawn Service at the Leopold War Memorial located at 91-139 Melaluka Road is at 8am.

The Portarlington and St Leonards RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service takes place around the Portarlington Cenotaph on the WG Little Reserve/Cannon Park at 6am. 9am – Service, St Leonards Memorial Hall.

11am – The march starts outside the Portarlington and St Leonards RSL to conclude around the Cenotaph, then afterwards at 8 Harding Street, Portarlington.