No matter the cold or the rain, Pakenham’s Dawn Service only seem to grow each year with hundreds gathered at sunrise to pay their respects.
Pakenham RSL president John Kenneth ran the proceedings this Anzac Day, fortunately the rain decided to briefly ease for the service.
Locals packed around the cenotaph, among them were Pakenham Scout Group, Pakenham Fire Brigade, Pakenham SES and many more groups.
Wreaths were laid as bagpipes echoed through John and Henry Street.
Among them was Girl Guides’ Sonya Boloski who laid a wreath for New Zealand RSL, Robin Thomas for Pakenham RSL, Gary Elliot for the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Ian Wake for Pakenham Rotary, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, Mayor Kowarzik and Cr Carol Ryan, School Captains from Pakenham Consolidated, Chairo School, Pakenham Secondary, John Henry Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School.
“Seems to get bigger every year,” Pakenham RSL member Rob Rasmussen said.
“I think with all the conflicts in the world at the moment it seems to make it all the more relevant.”
The service was concluded with the national anthem and The Ode. After which attendees moved to the RSL hall for the gunfire breakfast.
