Community commemorates sacrifices

THIS morning, members of the Golden Plains Shire community gathered to remember the sacrifices made by servicepeople.

The day began with dawn services in Bannockburn and Corindhap, organised by Inverleigh and Rokewood RSLs.

A range of events were held throughout the morning in all corners of the shire, including the annual march and major service in Inverleigh.

The 11am Rokewood service began with a march from the RSL to the memorial on the main street as Ballarat Grammar students played the bag pipes.

Representatives of member for Ballarat, Catherine King, member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, the Golden Plains Shire council and local sporting and recreation clubs laid wreaths.

Brian Dingley, president of the Rokewood RSL, said it was great to see so many community members attend the services.

“I think it has gone really well,” he said. “Numbers have been picking up since COVID and it’s actually been a big turn up for the dawn service and here.”

“A lot of the community is getting more involved with the commemorations.”

Vice-president Craig Ramsay said the club is trying to get the community involved in more initiatives throughout the year, not just on Anzac Day.

“We’re trying to do an annual bonfire and at the Rokewood Car and Bike Show we had a tent set up and a sausage sizzle,” he said.

“We’re trying to do more community things.”

Michelle Vasle attended the service with her family, and she said it was important to commemorate servicepeople.

“It’s patriotic and it respects the past,” she said.

“What they went through you couldn’t imagine, they thought it was going to be fun, especially the First World War and it wasn’t.”

Events will continue later this afternoon as Bannockburn and Inverleigh take to the field in their traditional Anzac Day football and netball meeting.