LOCALS have turned out in huge numbers at ANZAC Day services this year, with some labelled \u201cthe best ever\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dawn Services and marches were held in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, with Dawn Services also held in Myrniong and Blackwood, and a commemoration held in Coimadai.<\/p>\n
More than 5,000 people are estimated have attended the events across the five towns.<\/p>\n
In Bacchus Marsh, the Dawn Service began with a Welcome to Country, a catafalque, a singing of \u2018God Save The King\u2019, opening blessings and the Lord\u2019s Prayer delivered by Andrew Gifford, and a poem read out by Bacchus Marsh College school captain Abby Palmer.<\/p>\n
The poem, which has an unknown title and author, delivered a poignant reminder of what the ultimate sacrifice made by more than 100,000 Australians, and the many who returned home with lasting physical and mental scars, has protected back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It\u2019s the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech,\u201d Ms Palmer read.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the soldier, not the politicians, that ensures our right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet their deaths be not in vain, for countries a lesson to war not again.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 4,000 people attended Bacchus Marsh\u2019s Dawn Service, but as the bugler played the Last Post, you could\u2019ve heard a pin drop.<\/p>\n
Bacchus Marsh RSL President Michael Baxter said it was important for local veterans to see the fantastic turnout that the region so often delivers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an amazing turnout as usual from Bacchus Marsh and the surrounding area. I would estimate there\u2019d be well over four to five thousand people here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the catafalque party was a nice touch this year, it added a bit more sentiment to the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a few veterans come up to me and say this was the best service they\u2019d seen. It means a lot to veterans, it gives them time to reflect and remember their fallen mates, and those that did come back but were wounded, some very badly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over 150 people attended the Dawn Service in Ballan, with around 100 attending Blackwood\u2019s Dawn Service, and around 70 at Myrniong\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Ballan RSL President Pippa Morris said it was crucial not just for local veterans, but the community as a whole, to connect on ANZAC Day each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important for communities to see the veterans and interact with them, not just in the services themselves but also in the social get-togethers at the RSL afterwards,\u201d Ms Morris said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important for the health of communities that veterans are remembered and also able to share their experiences with the community and give back the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cANZAC Day isn\u2019t just about veterans taking something from the community, it\u2019s also about them giving back \u2013 it\u2019s a two-way thing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCALS have turned out in huge numbers at ANZAC Day services this year, with some labelled \u201cthe best ever\u201d. Dawn Services and marches were held in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, with Dawn Services also held in Myrniong and Blackwood, and a commemoration held in Coimadai. More than 5,000 people are estimated have attended the events […]<\/p>\n