By Brendan Rees
About a 2000-strong crowd braved an early morning chill in Narre Warren to pay tribute to the servicemen and women of Australia.
Clad in winter woolies, beanies, and jackets, the Anzac Dawn Service saw residents; war veterans, politicians, and students gather around the cenotaph at Bunjil Place on Thursday 25 April.
Children sat at the front crossed-legged while others stood in quiet reflection as the sound of bagpipes rung out into the morning air.
Addressing the crowd, Berwick RSL sub-branch secretary Chris McKenna said 2019 marked two significant milestones – the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II and the centenary of the establishment of the Berwick sub-branch.
Reverend Elywn Sparks led the crowd in prayer before Berwick RSL sub-branch president Wayne A’Vard gave the Anzac address, paying tribute to fallen soldiers.
“In 1916 when the RSL was formed by those women and men who returned it was our camaraderie, mateship, and looking after one another, extending a hand of friendship, this is the essence of what many call the Anzac spirit,” he said.
Local community groups, politicians, and school children along with members of the public were invited to lay wreaths, taking a moment to reflect as birds screeched in nearby trees.
The service continued with The Last Post, played by Greg Marks and his granddaughter Scarlett Marks-Boutton, both of Berwick.
Opera singer Rejieli Paulo sang a rendition of the New Zealand and Australian national anthems.
Bill Isaacson, a member of the National Serviceman’s Association Outer Eastern and Yarra Valley sub-branch, said he was proud to honour his family’s history.
Mr Isaacson served in the Citizen Military Forces in the 1950s while his father, four uncles and aunty all served in World War II.
“What was interesting the four brothers that served overseas they all came back and survived and didn’t have any injuries; didn’t get shot,” he said.
“I feel very privileged to have had a family that served overseas and survived, and I’m very proud of our history.”
About 35 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Narre Warren, Rotary Club of Berwick, Casey Cardinia Rotaract Club, SES Narre Warren, and the Inner Wheel Club of Narre Warren assisted in the service and provided a breakfast.
City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon said she was impressed with crowd numbers: “I think every year more and more of our young people are attending which I find really encouraging because they are the ones that are going to carry on the tradition and keep sacred something that is so important to Australia.”
