Thousands gather for dawn service

CROWDS flocked to the Soldiers Memorial Institute on Monday morning for the first unrestricted Anzac Day service since 2019.

Bendigo District RSL president Peter Swandale said the number of people who turned up for the dawn service was amazing.

“We knew it was going to be quite a large crowd, particularly post-pandemic so we planned for that,” he said. “I’m very pleased, it’s important to come out and remember.”

Free from COVID-19 restrictions, people barricading the parade and memorial had no wire fences or QR code check-ins to deal with for the 107th anniversary of Australian soldiers landing on the shores of Gallipoli.

Mr Swandale said about 70 veterans marched down Pall Mall for the dawn service, and a recent State Government relaxing of restrictions meant unvaccinated veterans could take part in the ceremony.

“Allowing to come together now is important,” he said. “Reconnection with the ones who are not vaccinated and they’re here this morning.

“It’s important for us to now connect with them face-to-face.”

Each year, the RSL president with over 35 years of service tells a story of a local serviceperson, and this year his address honoured the 80th anniversary of the fall of Singapore in 1942.

He told the story of a Long Gully-born prisoner of war held by Japan during World War Two, George Llewellyn Thomas, who served in hospitals.

“George maintained a diary throughout the war,” Mr Swandale said. “He was in the thick of it looking after all the sick soldiers in the hospital.

“It would have been horrendous to see so many, he talked about 1700 servicemen either sick or dying. That would’ve been a very sad state to see.

“I read the whole diary and amazing statistics he talked about. He was there, he was at the front of it trying to make sure they survived.”

With conflict continuing to escalate in Ukraine and around the world today, Mr Swandale said it’s important everyone takes a moment to remember and reflect on “the young men and women standing up for their beliefs and their culture.”