How Victoria will honour heroes this ANZAC Day

Victorians are expected to turn out in their thousands to pay respects to our ANZACS on Sunday, after similar gatherings were cancelled last year.

Thousands of Victorians will gather across the state on Sunday to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.

Following the forced cancellation of public Anzac Day gatherings last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the community were quick to snap up tickets to this year’s scaled back events.

Early on Sunday, groups gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance for the Dawn Service which began at 5.40am and was expected to be live streamed.

A cap on attendees saw the 1400-strong tickets allocation exhausted last week after a “first come first served” system was introduced.

Victorians choosing to mark the occasion from home were also encouraged to stand in their driveway or balcony for a minute’s silence as part of the Light Up the Dawn initiative.

The Anzac Day parade is set to return this year, with up to 5500 participants to march to the Shrine of Remembrance along St Kilda Rd from 9.30am.

Registrations for veterans wishing to march were extended and remained open until noon Saturday following a call to arms to get behind the commemorative event.

About 1736 marchers, including veterans and their descendants, will march in groups according to their era of service.

Onlookers hold the Australian Red Ensign to pay their respects during the Anzac Day Dawn Service 2020.

World War II veterans — most aged in their 90s — have been among the most determined to march.

Meanwhile, more than 300 local services will be staged across the state from Altona to Apollo Bay and Wycheproof to Yea.

The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon was set to go ahead on Sunday afternoon after authorities on Saturday gave the match the all clear following a COVID-19 scare.

Magpie players were forced into isolation and their training session cancelled on Saturday as they awaited the results of coronavirus tests after returning from Perth, which is amid a three-day lockdown.

Up to 85,000 fans will gather at the MCG to watch the clash from 3.20pm.

The match is on track to produce the largest crowd on a world stage since the pandemic hit.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said today Australians would remember those who gave their lives, “sacrificing their days so we could live ours”.

“Those who fought to end evil and topple tyranny, those who worked to protect and promote peace,” Mr Dutton said.

Mr Dutton also used his national address to thank current members of the Australian Defence Force.

“Australians are grateful for, and proud of the efforts of our servicemen and women who keep Australia safe and secure.”