Anzac Day Dawn Service to return

THE Anzac Day Dawn Service will again be held at Point Danger, Torquay this month.

The service begins at 5.45am on April 25 and provides a time for quiet reflection to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served, and who continue to serve, the nation today.

The Torquay RSL organises the dawn service and this year fundraising and planning started in mid-2023.

“Pre-COVID, the Dawn Service at Point Danger was the second largest in Victoria and thanks to the generosity and support from the Torquay business community, we have raised the funds required to allow us to do much more this year so that the service meets community expectations,” Torquay RSL secretary Irene Stokes said.

A veteran’s march is scheduled to start at 5.50am.

The assembly point for this march is The Esplanade towards the Anzac Drive roundabout.

Veterans are encouraged to arrive at the assembly point between 5.30am and 5.45am.

This year the march will be led by bagpiper Andrew Jenkins, who will guide veterans to the service at the Point Danger War Memorial.

The guest speaker this year is Darcy Dunstan, a former SAS veteran who served 10 years in the Australian Army and Australian Special Operations Command.

Darcy was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for outstanding commitment and distinguished performance of duties and will be speaking on “How the Anzac spirit is reflected in today’s Australian military”.

A large video screen will be set up at the rear of Point Danger so that a larger crowd can view the service, which will also be recorded and posted to torquayrsl.com.au and the club’s socials.

The Rotary and Lions Clubs of Torquay will be serving a Gunfire breakfast at the conclusion of the service, and everyone is welcome to attend.

“We are proud to be able to present the ANZAC Day Dawn Service again this year and I encourage everyone to attend if they can, as we expect it to be a moving service which appropriately honours those who have served and sacrificed,” Torquay RSL president Bob Brackin said.