Geelong gathers at Anzac Day Pre-Dawn Service

HUNDREDS gathered at Geelong’s Johnstone Park this morning (Thursday, April 25) for the city’s Anzac Day Pre-Dawn Service commemoration at the Geelong & District Peace Memorial.

Geelong RSL president and convenor of the service, Mark Lee, said this morning’s turnout created a powerful scene as the community remembered those who lost their lives in the name of the country.

“It was a large crowd at the 4.15am service, people overflowed out of the Peace Memorial and onto Johnstone Park to pay their respects and it was made even more special with the various commemorative groups in attendance as well,” Mr Lee said.

Key participants in this year’s service included the 87^th Royal Victoria Regiment who formed the service’s catafalque party, Christina Bowden conducting the The Last Post on the bugle, and Geelong RSL Pipes and Drums’ John Jordan performing the bagpipe solos.

Attendees also had a chance to lay wreaths on behalf of representative organisations.

Local representatives such as State Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan were also present for the service.

Mr Lee spoke on the uniqueness of Geelong’s Anzac Day pre-dawn proceedings.

“Not all towns and cities do a Pre-Dawn Serivce, so it’s held at that early hour to signify the time our ANZACs landed at Gallipoli, and it’s a huge honour for us to have it here,” Mr Lee said.

“Because it’s so early, there’s a lot of solemnity to that time, and during the service we imagine the young soldiers landing ashore at that time to take on a fierce battle.”

Other Anzac Day services in Geelong this morning included a 6am Eastern Beach Reserve Dawn Service, a 6am Dawn Service at Lara RSL, a 6.30am service at Boer War Memorial, and a 9am service at Geelong RSL.