Malop St Anzac Day parade, dawn services bring together community

The annual march down Malop St brought old friends and families together, while earlier this morning a crowd of 10,000 paid their respects in Torquay. SEE THE PHOTOS.

Gordon Traill could have been at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the footy.

Instead the Iraq veteran and mad Essendon supporter marched in the Geelong Anzac Parade with his grandchildren Grace McCure, 9, and Caleb Traill, 5, on Friday – all in a bid to create a legacy.

“I could have been at the MCG today watching the footy because I’m a mad Bombers supporter but it’s important to start a legacy and the legacy is for your grandkids,” he said.

“It’s the best.”

Following the poignant early morning reflections of the Eastern Beach Dawn Service, Geelong’s annual Anzac Day march provided an opportunity for families and friends to reunite.

Crowds lined Malop St as soldiers, cadets, veterans and descendants walked side-by-side with medals proudly pinned to their chest.

See all the photos from the Point Danger Dawn Service and Geelong Anzac Day march here.

Grace, who has joined in five marches in Geelong, said it “means a lot” to join her grandfather.

Gordon Traill with grand children Caleb Traill, 5 and Grace McCure, 9 at the 2025 Geelong Anzac Day march along Malop St. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Traill is also a mentor at the Australian Veterans Arts Museum and is planning an exhibition of his work at the Shrine of Remembrance.

“The art really grounds you … if I could paint every day I would.”

For Vietnam veteran and Lara local Ian Jane, Anzac Day is many things — a chance to stand tall, represent his father and grandfather who fought in WWI, and catch up with his mates.

“I see heaps of old friends here and they are all bloody gentlemen,” he said.

“Just this morning I met another chap who was in the same battalion as me.”

Ian Jane of Lara at the 2025 Geelong Anzac Day march along Malop St. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Jane said it was also cathartic to feel respected for his service more than 50 years after returning from war.

”It’s a very emotional sort of time with what we went through and when we came home [from Vietnam] — that is something to be forgotten.”

The march finished at Johnstone Park and ended with a commemorative service at 11.45am.

Earlier in Torquay, at least 10,000 people turned out in total darkness for the Point Danger Dawn Service.

The solemn notes of the Last Post rang out as rain drizzled down but the wet conditions were not enough to stop attendees from paying their respects.

Speaking to the crowd, Corangamite MP Libby Coker said the turnout demonstrated the “special place” that Anzac Day held in the hearts of locals.

“As the largest Victorian Dawn Service outside of Melbourne, it’s a true testament to the importance of Anzac Day,” she said.

Bugler Sarah Durran performs the Last Post at the 2025 Point Danger Dawn Service in Torquay. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ms Coker is one of many people to have relatives serve in wars and conflicts — both her father and grandfather fought in the Pacific against the Japanese in WWII.

Her father flew with the Royal Australian Air Force out of Bougainville while her grandfather was part of a tank crew on the jungle island of Tarakan in Borneo.

She said recognising the sacrifice of veterans and their legacy was crucial.

“Peace is their gift to us — a gift we must continue to cherish.”

“It is a gift born in sacrifice and forged in mateship; it is a part of our national story and a part of how we became a nation today.”

Guest speaker and Surf Coast local Warrant Officer Russell Kenyon said it was a “fundamental” part of the national identity.

Torquay RSL secretary Daryll Topp and guest speaker Warrant Officer Russell Kenyon at the Point Danger Dawn Service. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Where there are Australians and New Zealanders found, it is likely that an Anzac Day service is being held; such is the feeling that Australians have towards the 25th of April,” he said.

“It is not merely a date or some remote campaign but rather a spirit.”

“It requires us to reflect on the past with pride, but also to look ahead and build on the achievements of our predecessors.”

Originally published as Malop St Anzac Day parade, dawn services bring together community