3 minute read
Igniting Remembrance: the Anzac Day Eve game
By Sue Curwood
In the weeks leading up to Anzac Day, the Shrine welcomes a range of sporting clubs from netball, rugby, basketball, AFL and more, who find connection and inspiration in the hallowed spaces of the Shrine and the stories of the service people within. For these sportspeople, ‘Anzac Round’ creates an opportunity to come together to commemorate and honour the Anzac spirit, recognising a shared commitment to excellence, discipline and teamwork.
For nearly a decade, the Melbourne Football Club and Richmond Football Club have made generous donations to the Shrine of Remembrance to support us in delivering exhibitions, events and education programs that honour Victorian service and sacrifice. This special relationship continues to strengthen with each passing year, and the Anzac Day Eve match has emerged as a true highlight on all our calendars.
Richmond Football Club CEO Brendon Gale said the round is also a very significant part of the AFL calendar.
“All clubs look for ways to appropriately recognise our military history, and Anzac Day eve provides an opportunity for two clubs with significant links to our military history to do just that,” he said First played in 2015, the Anzac Day Eve match stands apart from Anzac Round itself, as it places a specific emphasis on contemporary service.
While we hold steadfast in honouring and remembering those who have come before us, we also understand the significance of acknowledging recent-era veterans who have served or are currently safeguarding our nation.
Both Melbourne and Richmond recognise this by inviting current service people to talk about their experiences to the teams first-hand. This promotes understanding, raises awareness, supports mental health and fosters a sense of unity and inspiration that lives beyond the 2.5-hour match ahead.
Undoubtedly, one of the most poignant moments of the Anzac Day Eve match is the pre-game ceremony. A torch is lit from the Eternal Flame at the Shrine and is marched to the MCG, under the care of the Shrine Guard. Once at the G, the flame is passed to members of the Corangamite Light Horse, who encircle the ground. The light of the torch is accompanied by myriad of phone torches as the 90,000-strong crowd joins in this moment in respectful silence. This evocative sight, combined with the lighting of the cauldron, creates a truly unforgettable spectacle.
This year, we invite you to join the journey of the flame from the Shrine to the MCG. Meet us at the Eternal Flame at dusk on 24 April to witness the lighting of the torch. And if you are feeling energetic, take the 20-minute walk to the G in the path of the Shrine Guard and light of the flame. Whether you are a Tiger or a Demon, we’re sure this will be a match to remember.
