Services around Australia today mark the 104th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers as part of the Allied assault on the Turkish Peninsula.
Crowds built early at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance as 25,000 people gathered for this morning’s poignant Anzac Day dawn service.
Early trains and trams were packed with people eager to pay their respects ahead of a day of commemorations at cenotaphs across Victoria before Melbourne’s main march started early this year.
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Despite increasing concerns about safety — compounded by the arrest overnight of a terror suspect in Turkey ahead of commemorations in Gallipoli — Victorians said they were not deterred, although the crowd at the Shrine was down 10,000 on last year.
Shrine of Remembrance chief executive Dean Lee put the lower numbers down to Anzac Day falling right after the Easter long weekend and more people attending local services, not fear of terrorism.
Three generations of Vietnam veteran Michael Masliczek’s family marched in today’s parade from Flinders St to the Shrine — son Michael, daughter-in-law Cassandra Evans and 10-month old Mia.
“It’s remembering all the ones we’ve lost - and have a bit of fun with the ones who are still here,” Mr Masliczek (Snr) said.
Mrs Evans, whose grandfather fought in World War II, said Anzac Day was close to her heart.
Her T-shirt, which read, “My Pa, My Hero” shows just how much.
“Today is so special - I get so emotional.
“Having her great grandfather and grandfather in the wars.
“It’s so hard to understand unless you lived it today.
“It’s something we want to bring her up with - he passed away a month after she was born.
“For her (Mia) to know that they fought for us - it’s really important.”
Robert Joyce, a Vietnam veteran, wife Gloria and 6-year-old granddaughter Imogen Dreissen attend the march every year.
They said Anzac Day had become even more special as their grandchildren began to understand the importance.
“She’s (Imogen) come every year since she was born - she would have been a month old when she was up on shoulders at the march,” Mr Joyce said.
“To me it’s a march in many ways for the freedoms we currently enjoy that we have fought so hard to achieve. It’s an opportunity to be with old friends and talk about old times.
“We’re incredibly proud to have our family march alongside us.
“We’re very lucky.”
Earlier this morning at the Shrine, Chris Talbot, 33, of Watsonia said he attended the dawn service in memory of both his grandfathers who served in overseas campaigns.
“We have to remember that war is terrible and I need to honour what my grandfathers did,” he said.
“Some people believe that we don’t need to anymore and I think that’s crazy.
“If there is a fear in attending these events, then I think it is more important than ever.”
Speaking at the Shrine, Premier Daniel Andrews asked the question so many often pondered; how do we express our gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom?
“The answer is as simple as it is powerful,” Mr Andrews said.
“Stand here at this hour in this still, dark, sacred place and remember them.
“Remember that they came from every corner of Victoria and Australia, every walk of life, every background.
“United in their comradery, duty and courage.
“Courage forged from the conviction that freedom, liberty and democracy must be defended.
“A conviction that together, united, good would triumph over the evils of oppression and tyranny.
“Remember the fallen.
“Remember those who served and came home to a grateful nation.
“Remember others who returned without the respect and recognition they were owed.
“Remember all who carry the wounds of battle and who long after the healing still battle the demons of conflict.
“Remember their families - for they make it all possible.
“Remember them all with solemnity, respect, reverence and gratitude.”
Damien McGee, 30, served with the infantry in Afghanistan and comes each year to the dawn service to to remember the little things.
In the dark and silence, he thinks about “the small things that we have here in Australia that we generally take for granted”.
Margaret Carnovale comes to honour her father, Les Rodda, who served in New Guinea.
“I used to come every year here with my dad but he passed away. He was in World War Two.”
Alister Teague and Kerry McCabe travelled from Christchurch to attend the ceremony in Melbourne.
“My grandfather lived in Melbourne and fought in the Western front - and my father was a Lancaster battle pilot - he was also a POW,” Mr Teague said.
“So today is about remembering them.
“He (Dad) did the long march - it was a hell of a long way in snow.
“Dad always hated snow - whenever it snowed he just hated it.
“It took him many years to speak of it.”
Mike Cusack, whose father served in World War II, said the day was about respecting those who sacrificed their lives and honouring those who continued to suffer.
“It’s the sacrifice of those - those who went and came back and those who came back but aren’t really here,” he said.
“The New Guinea campaign - and particularly the Vietnam vets, all the crap they got. It was appalling ... we’re still fighting.”
Mr Cusack said he often conducted Anzac Day ceremonies onboard ships, but today was about wearing his father’s medals with pride.
“Dad was in the Second World War, he was in the Northern Territory coastal defence,” he said.
“Like a lot of people he always felt guilty he didn’t go overseas. But that’s the luck of the draw.”
Vanessa Whitelaw and children Lotte, 8 and Tyler, 10 attended the Dawn Service for the first time.
Mrs Whitelaw’s grandfather, Leslie Donald Bateup of Yass, served in World War Two.
“These are my pop’s medals - the kids’ great grandad,” Mrs Whitelaw said.
“They are a replica set. The real ones are at home.
“He (Pop) served on the HMAS Geelong, Sydney and Perth - and he was bombed off Darwin and had to swim back to shore.
“Unfortunately these two didn’t get to meet him - they missed out by two years.
“But we actually have a photo of my great great grandfather who came back from WW1 with one leg - and a photo of him (Bateup) at home.
“He’s our little hero. He and his 5 brothers went.
“He was actually too young - about 15 - and he wanted to go with his brothers.
“This year I decided the kids were old enough to come - I told them it’s a bit a more emotional.
“They (kids) were very respectful - I was so proud of them.
“From the time they were little it’s been about teaching them to remember people
on Anzac Day.”
Police promised to undertake extensive preparations to ensure the safety of people attending this year’s Anzac Day events and ceremonies, including the security of more than 90,000 people expected to flood the MCG ahead of today’s hugely anticipated clash between Collingwood and Essendon, after a huge crowd watched Richmond defeat Melbourne in last night’s first game of the round.
The match started with the MCG lights being turned off for a poignant tribute.
About 65,000 people are expected to take part in Anzac Day commemorations in central Melbourne, including the march from Federation Square to the Shrine.
Here is everything you need to know about the Anzac Day 2019 march, dawn service and reunions around Melbourne.
ANZAC DAY MARCH
The Anzac Day 2019 March starts at 8.30am through the Melbourne CBD.
In previous years, the start time of the March begun at 9am but this year it has been moved forward by half an hour to streamline Anzac Day commemoration activities and decrease wait times for participants and spectators.
Contemporary veterans will be at the front of the March.
WWII Veteran will travel by vehicle behind the respective grouped banners of Services.
Banners will be grouped by decommissioned ships, WWII Army Divisions and WWII RAAF by Theatre of war.
All Boer War, WW1 and WWII descendants will march behind the Australian contingent of veterans.
DAWN SERVICE
The Anzac Day Dawn Service will commence at 6am at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Parking is restricted and it is recommended that you catch public transport. There will be six screens around the Shrine to watch the event.
GUNFIRE BREAKFAST
A traditional Gunfire Breakfast will again be served on St Kilda Rd in front of Victoria Barracks straight after the Dawn Service.
The breakfast of baked beans, sausage and bread plus brew, is provided by the Australian Defence Force School of Catering.
There will be a gold coin donation to attend the breakfast that will go to the RSL’s Anzac Appeal.
REUNIONS
106th Tank Attack AIF Regt Association: Thursday at Moonee Ponds Club
18 Aust Infantry Brigade Association: Thursday at Rates of Tobruk Hall in Albert Park
2/14th Battalion Association: Wednesday at Victoria Barracks Officers mess in Southbank
2/1st Army Field Worshops: Thursday at Tobruk House in Albert Park
2/21st Bn Association ‘Gull Force’: Thursday at The Mail Exchange Hotel, Cnr of Bourke and Spencer Streets
2/24th Battalion Association: Thursday at Pascoe Vale RSL
2/29th Battalion AIF Association Inc: Wednesday at Rendezvous Hotel in Flinders Street
2/2nd Bn Lark Force: Thursday at The Water Rat Hotel in South Melbourne
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion: Thursday at Café Vic at the Arts Centre
2/4th Field Regt Association: Thursday at Middle Park Bowling Club
2/4th Infantry Battalion Association: Thursday at Stamford Hotel in Rowville
2/7th Infantry Battalion: Thursday at Richmond Union Bowling Club
29/46th Battalion AIF: Saturday at Greensborough RSL
2nd/3rd Australian Light AntiAircraft Regiment Association: Saturday at RACV City Club on Bourke Street
4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment Association: Thursday at Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne
4th Anti Tank Association: Thursday at Castle Hotel in North Melbourne
57/60th Battalion (AIF) Association: Thursday at Darebin RSL in Preston
57/60th Battalion AIF Association: Thursday at Darebin RSL in Preston
7th Battalion RAR Association (Vic): Thursday at Bells Hotel in South Melbourne
7th Bn (1939-45) Association: Thursday at Middle Park Bowling Club
AATTV Association Vic: Thursday at Young & Jackson Hotel, Cnr of Flinders and Swanston Streets
BCOF (Japan) Association of Aust: Thursday at Richmond Rowling Club
HQ 1ST ATV (Vic Branch): Thursday at The George in South Melbourne
HQ 3rd Div Aust: Wednesday at Botanical Hotel in South Yarra
Malaya & Borneo Vet Association: Thursday at Batman Hill, Crn of Collins and Spencer Street
Ninth Division Sappers Association: Thursday at Mail Exchange Hotel
RAE Association (Vic) Inc: Thursday at Elephant & Wheelbarrow Hotel in Bourke Street
RAE Vietnam Veterans Assoc Inc: Thursday at Prahran RSL
RAEME Vietnam Association: Thursday at Prahran RSL
Royal Ausralian Regiment Association Vic Branch: Thursday at Coopers Inn in Exhibtion Street
Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association (Vic Branch): Thursday at Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne
Royal Australian Signals Association of Victoria: Thursday at The Mail Exchange Hotel
Royal Australian Survey Corps: Thursday at Charles Dickens Tavern in Collins Street
Royal Victoria Regiment Association: Thursday at The Kelvin Club in Melbourne Place
SEATO Civilian Surgical Teams: Thursday at The Olive Tree in South Melbourne
Signals Vietnam Veterans Association (Vic): Thursday at Mail Exchange Hotel
Armed Merchant Cruiser & Landing Ship Infantry Association: Thursday at Jardin Tan Restaurant
FESR Navy Association: Thursday at Duke of Wellington, Cnr of Flinders and Russell Street
Fleet Air Arm Association: Thursday at Mission to Seafarers in Docklands
HMAS ANZAC-Tobruk Association: Thursday at Stella Maris Seafarers Centre in Little Collins Street
HMAS Quickmatch/Quiberon: Thursday at Duke Of Wellington
HMAS Sydney & VLSVA Vic: Thursday at Maori Chief Hotel in South Melbourne
RANCBA Vic Inc: Thursday at Maori Chief’s Hotel in South Melbourne
Submarine Association Aust (Vic Branch): Thursday at St Kilda RSL
31 Beaufighter Squadron Association Vic Branch: Thursday at The Olive Tree Restaurant in South Melbourne
No 2 Squadron Association Branch: Saturday at Terminus Room in Brighton
RAF Victoria: Thursday at Terrace Restaurant in South Yarra
Association des Anciens Combattants Francais de Victoria: Thursday at The Olive Tree Bistro in South Melbourne
Friends of the Odd Bods Association: Thursday at Amora Riverwalk Hotel in Richmond
Rhodesian Veterans Association: Thursday at Bell’s Hotel in South Melbourne
*Some reunions have already taken place.
For more information on the Anzac Day Reunions visit RSL Victoria.
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