Thousands drawn to Anzac dawn service at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance
On the 109th anniversary of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli, 40,000 people gathered outside Melbourne’s war memorial to pay tribute to the fallen.
On the 109th anniversary of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli, a strong crowd of 40,000 people huddled in front of Melbourne’s red-lit Shrine of Remembrance for the city’s most popular dawn service.
Before 5.30am, when the service was due to start, Victorians young and old occupied the lawns outside the war memorial.
All generations braved the cold and chilly weather, with early risers rugged up in coats, puffer jackets and scarves, and some young children swaddled in blankets.
In her address to the dawn service, Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner pointed to the words of military historian John Keegan, who argued that war exists in “a world apart, a very ancient world, which exists in parallel with the everyday world but does not belong to it”.
“But what connects our everyday world with the terrors of war is the failure of diplomacy and politics because countries only cross the bridge from peace to war when politics fails and, ultimately, the price of the passage back from conflict is measured in human lives,” Professor Gardner said.
“This day of remembrance began in the blood, the bravery and the sacrifices that marked the shores of Gallipoli, and that particular Anzac experience came to stand for the way we would, as a new nation, speak for and with our people.”
The speech focused attention on peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace builders.
“After all, the best way to honour the sacrifices of those who have served our nation in wartime, is to make every effort to promote and protect peacetime,” the state Governor said.
“Since 1947, Australia has been involved in 62 multilateral security operations – in the pursuit of peace.”
Professor Gardner ended her speech by sharing her hopes for peace.
“Join with me in the hope that our commitment to peace will keep us from crossing that bridge to war once more – and save us for peace and the keeping of the peace.”
The service’s presenter Justin Smith paid tribute to some of the iconic war figures in Australian history including WWI officer Harold ‘Pompey’ Elliott, General Sir John Monash, officer John William Kirby and Lilian Violet Cooper.
He said that Australia would “never see enough dawns” to thank the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
“Even though the headstones may look a bit the same, each person went to war with the things that made them unique, their own skills and beliefs and things that made them happy, and their own plans for what to do when it was over,” Mr Smith said.
“And all of them had people waiting at home, wanting nothing more in this life and just to see them again.”
Mr Smith said the Australians killed would have their last birthday “frozen forever”.
“And their lives will always be incomplete,” he said.
“And we know that we can never live enough years or see enough dawns on Anzac Day to ever fully thank them.”
Michael Harrison, 48, attended the Anzac dawn service and recalled his father’s contributions to the Vietnam War as a medic.
His sons Braydin, 11, and Saxon, 8, accompanied their father to the early morning service on Thursday.
Both wore their grandfather’s and great grandfather’s army jackets adorned with medals.
“I just want to show the boys how people respect their parents’ service or their own service,” Mr Harrison said.
“It’s sort of a bit emotional for me. My dad had to go to the hospitals after the Vietnam War. It cuts pretty deep.”
While the young boys weren’t pleased with the early wake up call, they said the service was “cool” and expressed interest in following in their family members’ footsteps.
“I want to be a navy seal!” Saxon said.
Shrine of Remembrance chief executive officer Dean Lee said he was pleased with attendance numbers for the dawn services held across the state.
While Melbourne’s event led in numbers, Torquay attracted 8000 people and Wodonga pulled 5,500 people to its dawn services.
“The community’s commitment to honour those who defend our way of life at this morning’s Anzac Day Dawn Service was overwhelming, upholding a 90-year tradition at Victoria’s home of commemoration,” he said
After the service, the days events shifted to the commemoration march which drew around 10,000 people, with the attendance on par with last year.
Victoria’s Governor-General also held an Anzac Day breakfast, with Premier Jacinta Allan, state Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Opposition Finance spokeswoman Jane Hume among those in attendance.
On the streets, the march began close to Federation Square, and proceeded down St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance.
A chorus of drums, bagpipes and trumpets echoed through the streets, with delighted onlookers clapping and waving as each unit passed by.
Veterans of peacekeeping operations led the parade for the first time, keeping in theme with Governor Gardner’s address.
Crowds were also drawn to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to watch the clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
Collingwood FC called it a “privilege” to play their game on Anzac Day, as Essendon FC said they would “respect the day, own the occasion”.
More Coverage
‘Not inflationary’: ALP promises changes to student debt
The Albanese government is pledging major relief for Australians burdened by study loans if the Labor is re-elected next year.
‘Horrific’: Hunt after gunman after Halloween rave shooting
Police have described a shooting in Melbourne, in which a man has been killed, as a horrific incident.