There at the sunrise- Attending last year’s Dawn Service at Cranbourne were Adam Spiers with h

By Bridget Brady
RECORD crowds braved the cold at last year’s Dawn Service at Cranbourne, and RSL member Bill Shepherd hopes the enthusiasm continues this weekend.
Mr Shepherd, a long-time member of the Cranbourne RSL, helped organise the first Dawn Service in Cranbourne about five years ago, and said the large crowd numbers surprised him each Anzac Day.
“It’s been a really good success. And it has got bigger and bigger every year.”
Mr Shepherd said the idea to begin a Dawn Service in the town arose from the calls of ex-servicemen.
He said the significance of a Dawn Service was difficult to describe.
“My father was in World War II and I suppose it’s a bit of a tradition to carry on,” he said.
Mr Shepherd visited Gallipoli about eight years ago and said it was “a very eerie place”.
“I went down to the beach and a group of Aussie kids ranging from about 19 to 25 were sitting there in a circle playing the Last Post and everyone had a tear in their eye. The atmosphere in the place was unbelievable.”
Former president and life member of the Cranbourne RSL Don Davis will be the guest speaker at the Dawn Service and David Thompson will be the piper.
Those attending the Dawn Service on 25 April can gather at the Cranbourne RSL clubrooms at the South Gippsland Highway entrance at 5.30am for a 5.45am start. The Cranbourne Lions Club will provide a traditional breakfast after the service.