By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Hundreds of people braved a cold and soggy morning in Cranbourne to pay their respects to past and present service people at Tuesday’s Anzac dawn service.
A sea of umbrellas, beanies, and coats washed over the entrance to the Cranbourne RSL on the morning of 25 April where people came together to remember those who gave service to Australia.
The Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL Sub-branch senior vice-president Bill Shepard gave a sombre and stirring speech to the gathered crowd in memory of the fallen.
A minute of silence was observed by all in attendance before the Australian and New Zealand national anthems rang out.
Cranbourne local Jesse John Stanley Cass, who just returned from 10 years of full-time service, said Anzac Day was very important for people like himself.
“It means more than you can really put into words,” he said.
Local community groups, Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon and local schools all laid wreaths as part of the service and honoured the service men and women of the Australian Defence Force.
The Lions Club of Cranbourne provided a free sausage sizzle to all at the conclusion of the service.
Many schools in the region also commemorated past and present Australian soldiers by having flag ceremonies, crafting wreaths and learning what Anzac Day was all about.
