By Tricia Mifsud
A record crowd gathered at the cenotaph at Hudson Park, Kilmore for the Anzac Day dawn service yesterday.
People in attendance included representatives of the Returned and Services League, RSL, Kilmore-Wallan sub-branch, Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell, Kilmore Police, Kilmore SES and representatives from St Patrick’s Primary School Kilmore, Assumption College, and Willowmavin Primary School.
The service included an introduction from Kilmore Wallan RSL sub-branch president Rod Dally, followed by a reading of the Anzac address. The ode was recited by all in attendance, followed by the Last Post and playing of both Australia and New Zealand’s national anthems.
Mr Dally said he was impressed with yesterday’s turnout.
“It’s getting better every year. We thought it might be this big because of [services not going ahead] during lockdowns,” Mr Dally said.
“It’s been a great turnout. I’m really impressed with the number we have here today.”
He said continued success of commemorative services relied on teaching children the importance of Anzac Day.
“There’s more and more youngsters being brought along by their parents and we just have to keep it so that the kids learn and understand what Anzac Day is all about,” he said.
The service was one of three dawn services coordinated by the RSL sub-branches in Mitchell Shire, with Wallan and Seymour also hosting gatherings.
Other RSL-affiliated gatherings yesterday included marches and commemoration services at Kilmore, Wallan, Broadford, and Seymour and a joint service across Lancefield and Romsey.
Non RSL-affiliated groups Wandong History Group and Pyalong Neighbourhood House also hosted services.
