Torquay Anzac Day service under pressure

TORQUAY RSL vice-president Bob Tyler fears 2025 could be the last year of an Anzac Day dawn service at Point Danger due to rising costs.

At this stage, Torquay RSL expects this year’s service could be greatly scaled down if the organisation had to carry the load of the estimated $80,000 in expenses.

Last year, Torquay RSL received limited support and government grants towards the dawn service.

“Anzac Day around Australia and overseas has been the time for quiet reflection to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australian men and women who have served and who continue to serve our nation today,” Mr Tyler said.

“It is a time for personal reflection and attending Torquay’s Dawn Service is our way we show our respect here on the Surf Coast.”

Torquay’s Dawn Service has grown immensely over the years – before COVID, it was Victoria’s second-largest, behind only the Shrine of Remembrance.

About 10,000 people attended last year’s service.

Corporate sponsors have helped alleviate some of the financial burden, but costs continue to increase.

“The fact is Torquay’s Dawn Service is a community commemoration,” Mr Tyler said.

“Can we afford for the RSL to bear costs, which takes funding from welfare support to veterans, and which should be borne by local, state and federal governments?”

He questioned whether the RSL needed to “retreat from Point Danger to a much smaller Anzac Day commemoration”.

“I hope not,” he said.