By Gladys Barreta
Bacchus Marsh RSL Sub Branch will commemorate servicemen, women and civilians with an Anzac Day Dawn Service on Friday, April 25.
The Dawn Service and wreath-laying ceremony will begin at 5:45am and will be followed by a Commemorative March and Service.
The SES, in conjunction with the RSL Hall and The Public Hall will provide a gunfire breakfast following the Dawn Service. A gold coin donation is appreciated for those who wish to attend.
The Commemorative March will commence at 10:00am from the Bacchus Marsh & Melton Hospital Grounds on Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh, and will be followed by morning tea at the RSL Hall.
Iris Roberts, Secretary of the Bacchus Marsh RSL said the service is very important to veterans and the broader community, especially in remembrance of Gallipoli.
“It is a service to remember those who served and sacrificed their lives for the country, and those who still continue to serve,” she said.
“The Last Post is played toward the end of the Dawn Service. It was traditionally played in army camps to mark the end of the day and is now played on ANZAC Day to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We have excellent support from the Bacchus Marsh community and all local schools, so we know the legend of the ANZAC will live on.”
The Dawn Service will be held at The Village Green, 197 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh, from 5:45am, followed by the commemorative march and service.
There will be road closures in place in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan on ANZAC Day (Friday, April 25) to accommodate the services and parades. Full details are available on the Moorabool Shire Council website: moorabool.vic.gov.au/scheduled-road-closures.
For inquiries related to the services or road closures, please contact the Bacchus Marsh RSL on (03) 5367 1855.
Anzac Day services across the shire:
Bacchus Marsh RSL Dawn Service – Village Green from 5.45am; commemorative march and service -10am from the Bacchus Marsh & Melton Hospital Grounds on Grant Street
Ballan RSL Dawn Service – Ballan Fire Brigade from 5.45am; commemorative march and service – 12pm from Ballan RSL Sub Branch to the local Cenotaph
Blackwood Dawn Service – Blackwood War Memorial from 5.45am
Bungaree Service and gunfire breakfast – Bungaree Recreation Reserve Memorial from 8am
Lal Lal Service and sausage sizzle – ANZAC Memorial Park from 11am
Coimadai Service – Coimadai Memorial at Merrimu Reservoir from 11.30am
Yendon Memorial Service – Yendon Avenue of Honour from 5pm
