By Violet Li
This year’s Cranbourne Anzac Day service attracted a larger turnout than last year’s, with about 500 locals paying their respects at the dawn service and over 1000 at the march on Thursday 25 April.
The crowd mustered around the old Ritchies store car park at 10am with rosemary and poppies on their left chests and coffee in their hands. Uninvited Melbourne autumn rain greeted everyone when the march started but quickly faded away.
Locals watched a line of military groups, community organisations, emergency service representatives, and school students march along High Street and down to Greg Clydesdale Square where a memorial service was held afterwards.
Special guests included Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and City of Casey administrator Cameron Boardman.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL vice president and veteran Stuart Couch delivered a speech at the service. He said the term ANZAC was not just a place, an award, and a ceremony.
“The term ANZAC, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, has transcended physically into a meaning of a spirit, an inspiration that embodies the qualities of courage, discipline, sacrifice, and the Australian term of mateship,” he said.
“We do not gather here to glorify war. Instead, we gather here for the simple recognition. They went on to fight and ultimately to their deaths for service to their country and their mates.
“Ever since the first Australian military nurses sailed into the Boer War in South Africa in 1900, Australian nurses have served in all theatres of war and conflict. But in the past, we have too often forgotten the sacrifice of these amazing men and women.
“Working under the most challenging conditions, enduring extreme discomfort, and the most harassing and harrowing fire. Some of whom have lost their lives, all while providing aid and support and comfort to our dying and wounded.”
Mr Couch said they were also there to acknowledge all current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, and the allies.
“Whilst many of us have not been directly affected by losing a loved one in conflict, no Australian is left untouched when a member of the defence force is killed,” he said.
“It is difficult to comprehend the grief that a family feels when they lose a partner, a father, a child, a sibling, or just a friend.
“It is also difficult to comprehend the images and memories that some of these men and women have brought home with them from their time.
“Let us remember them, their families, and their friends. We must also not forget the history of both sides as there are no victors in war, only great loss.”
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando said it was a humbling feeling to attend Anzac Day services in her electorate and remember the sacrifices of those who had kept our country safe.
“I was delighted to see so many people from our community attend the services this year, especially school students and youth from across my electorate,” she said.
“Their participation emphasises the importance of Anzac Day — a day commemorated so that future generations will continue to remember those who lost their lives in war. Lest we forget.”
