Big Anzac plans

PAKENHAM RSL president Ray Caldwell is excited about Anzac Day in 2010.
Not only is he expecting the crowd to be bigger than ever before, but the dawn service will be held at a new site – the Pakenham Racecourse.
“This facility will be better than what we have ever had,” Mr Caldwell said.
“We are grateful that the racecourse has offered their facilities over the next three years while the current cenotaph and Public Hall gets a revamp.”
Mr Caldwell said the “first-class facility” would give the RSL service a home during the revamp and said the RSL only needed one favour from locals.
“All we are asking for is that people make the effort to make the extra effort to come down to the racecourse,” he said. “We are really excited for the community to get involved.”
He said the racecourse facilities would allow for Rotary to continue their gunfire breakfast tradition on the day, and was a weather-proofed facility.
“We will be able to continue rail, hail or shine,” he said. “It is just so exciting.”
As well as being excited about the move, Mr Caldwell said Pakenham RSL members were all geared up for the service.
“This year we will have a Royal Navy Chaplain for the service – they are so hard to get,” Mr Caldwell said. “It is a real coup for us.”
Graham Treloar will perform the last post and Pakenham RSL’s Norm Joseph will act as MC.
Residents will notice signs going up around the town, as Mr Caldwell said the Cardinia Shire Council had offered to use their prime advertising positions to direct traffic towards the racecourse on Anzac Day.
“We are hoping for 1000 people,” Mr Caldwell said.
“But there is room for more.”