Anzac spirit honoured at local services
The spirit of the Anzacs – courage, mateship and sacrifice – is sure to be reflected at more than 20 services held across West Gippsland next Wednesday.
Local residents will pause on Anzac Day to remember Australians who served and died in war at dawn services, marches and cenotaph services.
Dawn services will be held at Warragul cenotaph, Drouin cenotaph, Trafalgar cenotaph and Walhalla war memorial at 6am as well as Red Parrot Café in Noojee at 5.45am.
Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar will also hold mid-morning marches and services.
Warragul’s march will proceed from the Gazette office in Queen St at 9.40am to the cenotaph for a 10am service. A morning tea will follow at the RSL Hall in Albert St.
A 2pm service and afternoon tea will also be offered at Fairview Village.
In Drouin, the march proceeds from the Drouin and District Community Bank car park at 10.10am ahead of a 10.30am service at the cenotaph.
In Trafalgar, a 10.15am service at Andrew’s House will precede the 10.45am march from the Criterion Hotel to the Trafalgar RSL Hall in Kitchener St. The service will begin at 11am.
Guest speaker Michael Weatherell will feature at the Darnum war memorial service at 11am.
Other services will be at Thorpdale war memorial at 9am, Erica war memorial at 9.30am, Narracan East war memorial at 9.30am, Willow Grove war memorial at 9.30am, Hill End war memorial at 10.30am, Yarragon cenotaph at 10.30am, Jindivick war memorial at 11am, Aberfeldy Cemetery at 12noon and Tarago Views Aged Care in Neerim South at 2pm.
Poppies may be laid at the Dawn services and wreaths at the mid-morning services.
Baw Baw Shire Council will also lay wreaths at war memorials at Neerim, Neerim East and Neerim North.
A service at Longwarry war memorial will be held on Sunday at 2pm. An afternoon tea, guest speaker and entertainment will follow at the Longwarry Hall.
The Bunyip RSL will hold a 1pm service at the Garfield cenotaph. It will be followed by a 2pm service at the Bunyip cenotaph featuring the Cardinia Civic Band. Upon its conclusion, a march will be made to the hall for a concert and afternoon tea.
In addition, services will be held for the Bunyip Junior Football Club on Saturday at 10.30am and for the Bunyip Football Netball Club on Saturday, April 28 at 2pm. Both will be at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve.