By Danielle Kutchel
Clad in robes, beanies and gloves, families spaced themselves throughout the Cranbourne RSL forecourt for a small service to mark Anzac Day 2021.
The service had been planned as an invite-only occasion, and strong numbers of invitees attended.
As well as members, their carers and families, local emergency services and air force cadets were among the guests.
Wreaths were laid – small contributions of remembrance from local schools, service clubs and families determined to never forget.
As dawn broke, the grey sunlight gently touched hundreds of solemn faces as the bugle sounded The Last Post before a minute’s silence was held.
Bill Shepherd, senior vice president of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL sub-branch, said he was pleased with the turnout at the service.
“It went well, under the Covid conditions and all the restrictions we’ve got on, it was pretty good,” he said.
Due to ongoing restrictions, the service was not followed by its usual gunfire breakfast; however, friends, veterans and members mingled afterwards, speaking in hushed voices as though not to wake the morning.
As the crowds dispersed, the morning ended in a quintessentially Australian manner: with the call of a kookaburra in a nearby tree.
