Lest we forget, ANZAC Day is a day when the community comes together to acknowledge the contribution and suffering all those who served and died in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
In 1914, over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed when their dawn landing at the Gallipoli Peninsula was met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.
The campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships throughout the war and for many, the remainder of their lives.
Anzac Day, Friday, April 25 is when Returned Soldiers Leagues and community groups organise dawn commemorative services, marches amd flag raising ceremonies for war veterans and the community to join together to honour those who have served.
The following services and marches have been organised for ANZAC Day.
Kilmore
The dawn service will be held at Hudson Park cenotaph, Skehan Pl from 6am, and there is also a sausage sizzle. Later there will be a community march from the Kilmore-Wallan RSL Sub-Branch, 14 Sydney Street leading to a second service. The step off time is 10.45am to arrive at Hudson Park for the 11am service.
Wallan
The dawn service will be held at Hadfield Park cenotaph, 64 High Street from 6am. Later in the morning there will be a community march and a second service at 9.15 am. The assembly point is Queen Street at 8.30am and the step off time is 8.45am.
Broadford
A community march will assemble at the front of the old hardware store on the High Street Service Lane at 9.30am and lead to the dawn service at the Broadford Centotaph opposite the post office and the service will commence around 9.50am.
Lancefield
A community march will assemble at the Lancefield Hotel in High Street at 9.15am and lead to a morning service at the cenotaph, High Street starting at 9.30am. Refreshments will be available at Lancefield Mechanics Institute for a gold coin donation, and later in afternoon two-up games will be played at the Lancefield Hotel from 2pm.
Pyalong
The service will commence at 11am with the marchers assembling at 10.45am at the General Store for the 11am service at the Pyalong Memorial Gardens.
Seymour
The dawn service will be held at the Seymour Hospital gates, 1 Bretonneux Street from 5.45am. Afterwards a traditional Gunfire Breakfast will be held at the Seymour RSL Sub-Branch at 2 Station Street. A community march will gather in the car park at Total Sports at 9.30am and step off at 9.45am leading to the Anzac Avenue cenotaph for a second service at 10am. A catered lunch is available at the Seymour RSL Sub-Branch.
Romsey
The morning service will be held the Romsey cenotaph, High Street, Romsey at 8.30am.
Tooborac
A dawn service will be held at the cenotaph located between the General Store and the Hotel at 6.30am and afterwards refreshments will be served at the Tooborac Mechanics Institute hall.
Wandong
A service will be held at the Wandong Memorial starting at 12.30pm followed by a sausage sizzle with a gold coin donation.
