Traditional service back at Kangaroo Flat

A SENSE of normality will return to the Kangaroo Flat RSL subbranch’s Anzac Day ceremony, with a small march given the all-clear.

Newly elected subbranch president Martyn Stradbrook said the march will take place from the corner of Church and Chapel Streets, finishing in the memorial gardens.

Formal proceedings will begin around 9.15am with a Catafalque Party, flag ceremony, minute of silence and laying of wreaths.

“There’ll be a speech from an ex-serviceperson who spent over 20 years in the service, a recent retiree from the service who happens to also be our senior vice-president,” Mr Stradbrook said.

The ex-serviceperson in question is Kellie Dadds, a veteran with 22 years’ service in the Australian Defence Force who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Solomon Islands and other locations.

After retiring with the rank of major in 2018, Ms Dadds formed the By the Left campaign, highlighting the role of women in the ADF while breaking down the stereotypes of what a veteran looks like.

Mr Stradbrook said there are 100 members of the Kangaroo Flat RSL sub-branch and before the COVID-19 pandemic up to 2500 people would turn up to the local Anzac Day service.

“A lot of people will attend just the Kangaroo Flat ceremony and that’s why we still do it, to make sure those people are still recognised,” he said.

A small dawn service will be held also be held at 6.30am and Mr Stradbrook said the aim is for the official ceremony to be completed in time for the main service in Bendigo.