Anzac Day 2018: Thousands turn out to Melbourne dawn service

SOME veterans marched. Others rode in convertible Mustangs, their grandchildren carrying their walking sticks. But nothing was going to hold them back on the one day thousands turn out to appreciate their courage and sacrifices.

A SHAKY wave. A simple thumbs-up. A beaming smile. A tip of the hat. Gestures by which our Diggers thanked us for thanking them.

Some marched. Others rode in convertible Mustangs, their grandchildren carrying their walking sticks. But nothing was going to hold them back on the one day thousands turn out to appreciate their courage and sacrifices. “Go, Pa,” Olive, 4, yelled as she saw him march down St Kilda Rd. “He was a hero,” she confided. MORE ANZAC DAY: ANDREW RULE: DIGGERS WHO NEVER MET THEIR FOREIGN CHILDREN AUSSIE TROOPS CONTINUE THE ANZAC STORY AUSSIES FLOCK TO GALLIPOLI TO PAY RESPECTS At 95, Sergeant Mac Roberts is one of only two surviving members of the HQ, 1st Aust. Corps. Every year on Anzac Day, he honours his fallen mates. “The real reason for coming is to remember those who fought and died,” he said. “There were a lot of my friends who didn’t make it home.” Hours earlier, 35,000 packed the Shrine of Remembrance for the dawn service. The Eternal Flame flickered as veterans stood in solidarity, and others who came  to pay their   ­respects stood also, shoulder to shoulder, in complete darkness. For the first time, a female serving member of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Group Captain Annette Holian, had the honour of addressing Melbourne’s service. “We can live our lives cocooned in the comfort of our homes, never reaching our potential. But these men and women had the courage to let go of comfort,” she said. “It did not mean they were not afraid. They acknowledged their fears, stepped forward, took risks and served anyway.” Annabel Tough, 7, experienced her first dawn service after convincing her mum to take her along. “My mum told me my great-grandfather was in the war, and I’m grateful for what he did,” she said. The crowd attending the service this year was up by 10,000. Those in their early 20s were well represented, a new trend now emerging. Shrine of Remembrance CEO Dean Lee said it was a trend that was vital to ensure the Diggers’ legacy lived on. Air force Major James Sparks, who spent 16 years as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, deployed to some of the most dangerous war zones, said: “It’s what you want to do — you’re overseas, you’re representing your country, doing work that needs to be done, and you’re carrying the name of Australia with you. “So it’s really quite rewarding,” he said. Tens of thousands took over St Kilda Rd for the Anzac Day parade, in which contemporary veterans led the march for the first time. In a sign of the times, the police presence was obviously greater. They were guarding against an evil the men and women pounding the pavement had already fought. Peter Clarke, whose father and grandfather both served, wanted his children to know what they had done. “It’s just nice to pay respects to people who have done so much for us,” Mr Clarke said. [e-mail] @AleksDevic SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW WE COVERED MELBOURNE’S ANZAC DAY EVENTS

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