Surf Coast marks Anzac Day

Bob Tyler, Ted Sikorski, Katie Reaper, with Harriet, Bob Burton and Wing Commander Daryll Topp. Photo: TORQUAY RSL

ANZAC Day on the Surf Coast was a muted occasion this year, with much smaller services than usual.

In Torquay, the usual dawn service at Point Danger was cancelled and was instead replaced by a small, invite-only gathering at the memorial behind the Torquay RSL clubrooms.

Bob Burton and Ted Sikorski reminisce about their service at Torquay. Photo: TORQUAY RSL

Attendees included Corangamite federal member Libby Coker and Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson, who read out a message from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The march at Anglesea was shortened to start at the town’s memorial hall and end at the nearby Anglesea RSL Sub-Branch.

Scouts and cadets did not take part in the service, nor did school groups from the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet primary schools, though school captains from both schools attended to lay wreaths.

The march in Anglesea was much shorter this year. Photo: ANGLESEA RSL

Anglesea RSL vice-president Ian Drummond thanked everybody for coming and expressed the strong hope that the whole community would be back in 2022.

The guest speaker this year was former Warrant Officer Donald Kenny, a 43-year veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and an apt choice as 2021 marks the 100-year anniversary of the RAAF.

Some of the people at the Anglesea service – former Warrant Officer Donald Kenny (saluting) can be seen at right. Photo: ANGLESEA RSL

The returned servicemen and women at the Anglesea Aged Care were not able to attend, so the Sub-Branch held a special ceremony for them on Monday this week.