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Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
5 Tuesday, 28 April, 2015
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Anzacs stand firm By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS, RUSSELL BENNETT AND PETER DOUGLAS RAIN COULD not dampen the Anzac spirit at the dawn service and street march at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL. Proceedings were led by RSL president David Eaton, who gave a stirring rendition of The Ode. Mr Eaton estimated an attendance of about 4000, saying: “It was the largest turnout to a dawn service I can remember.” State Member for Monbulk, James Merlino, was first to lay a wreath at the RSL’s memorial. The wet was no match for the hundreds who participated in the march led by Upwey High School music students. Veterans, current servicemen and women, emergency service groups, Scout groups and local townspeople all walked the street in a show of respect. Meanwhile, at the Upper Ferny Creek Avenue of Honour, the atmosphere was electric due to the early morning mist. President of the Dandenong Ranges RSL, Mr Peter Rickard, led proceedings for the dawn service, with guest speaker, Lieutenant Mile Glamcevski, explaining to the crowd his connection with Anzac Day. Lt Glamcevski spoke of his father’s involvement in conflict, as well as those who personified the Anzac spirit. “We cannot forget these men were not a contingent of professional soldiers,” he said, “But ordinary Australians who believed in protecting their loved ones.“ At Monbulk, a huge crowd lined the streets to witness the mid-morning Anzac march from the Mitre 10 store to the Monbulk RSL. Monbulk RSL president, Bill Ford, welcomed the community and the special guests, which included Vietnam veteran and Monbulk RSL vice-president, John Surridge; and Member for Monbulk, James Merlino. Also addressing the crowd was Max Cowie, who spoke of his grandfather and Monbulk war hero, James Cowie.
Max described his grandfather as a complex man, but one who thoroughly deserved the plaudits he received, including being awarded the Military Cross. In Mount Evelyn, between 1500-2000 people came out to pay their respects, with local singer, Alex Borg, performing his own ode to the Anzacs – Midnight in the City. The catafalque party of the 22nd Engineer Regiment stood guard at the cenotaph while the ceremony took place, and residents, veterans and descendants of Gallipoli soldiers later marched to the RSL. Long before the crowd gathered on Saturday morning, a lone figure stood silent at Emerald’s Anzac Place – the statue of the unknown soldier. By the time the service began, shortly after 5.30am, thousands of locals had lined the streets surrounding the RSL and Anzac Place. “Those sounds were the baptism of fire for not only the young Anzacs, but also the young Turkish defenders – it was their first experience of war, and for so many it was their last,” said Emerald RSL president, and Vietnam veteran, Peter Maloney. At the Cockatoo morning service, locals young and old marched step by step from the primary school down to the RSL. Cardinia Shire councillor Jodie Owen spoke at the intimate ceremony of the need to support today’s servicemen and women when they return home. While they head overseas full of life, some return with injuries – either physical or mental. Pastor Owen Prout led those in attendance in a rendition of the Lord’s Prayer, but added that often a soldier’s prayer would be so much shorter than that. Often just one word – help. Massive crowds also turned out to Gembrook’s dawn and morning services at the memorial on the corner of Redwood and Pakenham roads, with a gunfire breakfast also held at the Gembrook Community Centre. For the full story on each Anzac Day service, and more photos, visit mail. starcommunity.com.au.
State MP for Monbulk, James Merlino at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL dawn service. 138201 Picture: VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
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