Thousands gather for Anzac Day

THIS year’s events saw the return of crowds, as hundreds of veterans and thousands of spectators honoured those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Attendance was estimated at around 2000 for the dawn service, and 4000 for the 10.15am service, which also marked 100 years of the Royal Australia Air Force.

Bendigo District RSL president Peter Swandale said given the restrictions on numbers and registrations it was great to see the return of the traditional services.

“Very pleased to see the amount of people coming out today, the Bendigo community, just absolute fantastic,” he said.

“It’s difficult within the challenges we have and what we had to do, but overall, everyone was pleased that they could come together and commemorate.”

Anzac Day events coordinator Cassandra Liddy said they had a lot less time to prepare this year’s commemorations.

“Usually, we start planning this as soon as Remembrance Day finishes so by December we are planning for Anzac Day,” she said.

“A lot of factors go into it, road closures, council event permits, everything else and then we’ve gone just a little bit further which included having to do registrations this year.

“I’m very pleased with how it went today, I would’ve loved to have a lot more veterans here, I had just over 300 register to attend the march and the service and from what I could see I think they did attend which is great.”

The morning service started with a flypast piloted by flight Lieutenant Guy Bourke, to mark the centenary of the RAAF.

The service included a prayer from Reverend John South, Bendigo Senior Secondary College students Amelia Bailey and Amber Chong reading an Anzac reflection and the Anzac requiem.

Tributes were paid to fallen Anzacs during the Gallipoli landing, as well as those killed or wounded in other Australian campaigns.

Vietnam veteran Wes Bertoch was deployed in 1967, and said the service is time for reflection between fellow veterans and mates.

“We don’t glorify war; we just remember it,” he said. “Most didn’t come back.

“I found out today one of the mates had a bit of heart trouble but he’s still alive.

“It was a long time underground.”

Guest speaker squadron leader Ron Batcheldor delivered the Anzac address, honouring the RAAF and paying respect to former and current serving members.

“The spirit of Anzac is not dead, it is alive and evolving through the actions and deeds of the current Australian defence force and service personnel and all those that have served before us,” he said.

“Today we salute them, pay tribute to them, thank them and in doing so celebrate the Anzac Day spirit that continues to live on.”