By Colin MacGillivray
RETURNED and Services League, RSL, leaders are thrilled that younger generations are engaging with the history of Anzac Day as they prepare for dawn services across the Whittlesea region next week.
Whittlesea and Doreen RSL sub-branches will each host dawn services on Tuesday, and Doreen RSL secretary Sarah Evers said the services were rapidly growing in popularity.
With the Doreen Cenotaph located on the grounds of Laurimar Primary School, Ms Evers said it presented a unique chance for the sub-branch to get young people involved in Anzac Day commemorations.
“The school donated a portion of their land for the cenotaph, which is very unique,” she said.
“Jason McBean, the principal at Laurimar Primary School, is fundamental to our services. He works in conjunction with our committee, so we’re very lucky.
“This year for the first time we’ve got Mernda Central College and Gilsons College both laying wreaths. That brings in more young people as well.
“The kids love it. We go right down to the local day-care, where the kids make paper wreaths and do craft activities leading up to it. They’re all so proud.
“We try to keep the service relevant for a younger audience bearing in mind we’ve got all the kids there.”
Ms Evers said the influx of new attendees to the dawn services had been wonderful to see.
“Each year it is growing and growing. It’s getting quite large,” she said.
“This year we’re putting up additional viewing screens further down towards the post office.
“It’s excellent considering that when we started, we had maybe 70-odd people attending. Now it reaches all the way down to the post office and whole car park and both neighbouring streets are full.”
Attendees to Doreen RSL’s dawn services are advised to congregate at the cenotaph on the corner of Painted Hills Road and Armidale Road, Doreen, from 5.15am for a 5.50am ceremony.
Refreshments will be available at Doreen RSL, located at the Laurimar Sporting Complex on Montville Street, following the service.
Whittlesea RSL will host a dawn service at the Arch Memorial on the corner of Forest and Walnut streets, Whittlesea, starting at 5.45am.
An Anzac Day march will step off at the intersection of Church and Fir streets in Whittlesea at 2.30pm.
Refreshments will be available at Whittlesea Bowls Club, Church Street, on the day.
For more information about the Whittlesea dawn service or march, people can call 9716 1361. People can call Ms Evers for more information about the Doreen service on 0487 384 963.
