After two years of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, Anzac Day Dawn Services are coming back with no compulsory masks and no mandatory social distancing.
Pakenham RSL is looking forward to hosting its first public event in two years, after the service was restricted to RSL members and emergency service personnel last year.
The club is preparing for the usual thousand large crowd with road blocks in place.
Emerald RSL is also prepping for what they hope is a large turn out.
“The Emerald RSL looks forward to seeing Emerald coming out en masse at the two services at Anzac Place and the community march,“ president Peter Maloney said.
“In previous years more than 3,000 people from Emerald and afar witness a very moving service that honours our fellow residents of Emerald and Australia who fought for our country.“
Sunday 24 April
Beaconsfield Anzac Day Service
1.50pm: March commences; meet at Beaconsfield CFA Fire Station 2pm: Service commences corner Woods Street and Old Princes Highway, Beaconsfield.
Monday 25 April
Bunyip RSL
Two services will be held on Anzac Day; one at 1pm in Garfield at the cenotaph and the other at Bunyip at 1.45pm at the cenotaph.
Cockatoo RSL
The Cockatoo RSL is holding a dawn service at 6am, followed by a gunfire breakfast.
At 10.15am a march will take place from Cockatoo Primary School to the RSL with a possible fly over.
A memorial service will be held at 10.30am followed by a barbecue.
Emerald RSL
On Saturday 23 April the traditional annual Anzac Football Match between Emerald and Gembrook will take place at the Emerald Football Netball Club, Chandler reserve. The Anzac Day dawn service will commence on Monday 25 April at 5.30am at Anzac Place. Puffing Billy will present with its traditional whistle blast and the scouts will provide breakfast. At 10.30am the community march will take place from the town centre to Anzac Place where the morning service will occur, including a flyover by veteran war planes. Readings will be presented by local students and wreaths will be laid by the Emerald community.
Gembrook RSL
Gembrook RSL will hold memorial services at the Remembrance Park Gembrook Cenotaph.
The dawn service will commence at 6am, but members of the public have been asked to arrive at 5.45am for a punctual start. Following the service, all will be welcome to attend JAC Russel Park for the gunfire breakfast.
At 10.45am, a march will take place along the Avenue of Honour in Redwood Road to the Cenotaph whee a service will commence at 11am. Following the ceremony, Gembrook RSL will offer refreshments to the community.
Kooweerup RSL
A dawn service march will be held at 5.50am, beginning at the clock towers, heading along the Avenue of Honour and ending at the community centre.
A live bagpiper will be marching with the contingent.
The ceremony at the cenotaph begins at 6am which will be followed by a gunfire egg and bacon breakfast, provided by the CWA, Scouts and Lions Club.
Nar Nar Goon RSL
A service will be held from 6am at the Nar Nar Goon RSL Memorial Park. The CFA will then host a Gunfire breakfast, supported by RSL and butcher.
Pakenham RSL
A dawn service will be held at the cenotaph on the corner of Henry Street and John Street starting at 6am, however the usual breakfast will not be held due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Officer and District Community Association
The Officer and District Community Association is hosting an Anzac Day morning dawn service at 6am sharp at the Officer Recreation Reserve memorial gates. Members of the public should arrive by 5.45am. The Officer Kangaroo Junior Football Club will provide a free breakfast after the service. The Officer OWLS will offer tea, coffee and juice.
Upper Beaconsfield RSL
An Anzac Day memorial service will be held at 11am at the Upper Beaconsfield cenotaph, with all members of the public invited.
