By Mikayla van Loon
Despite the forecasted rain the township of Mount Evelyn turned out in droves to the Anzac Day dawn service, where nothing could dampen the spirit, commemoration or respect shown by the thousands who attended.
The sound of the bagpipes ringing out over the silent streets of the hillside town triggered the beginning of the service at 5.45am, led by Mount Evelyn RSL president Matt Crymble.
“It has been 109 years since the landing at Anzac Cove Gallipoli. The feats of our troops and our dear friends New Zealand forged our names into the history books,” he said.
“These two unknown and unproven nations of Australia and New Zealand will forever be known for their great deeds on this day 109 years ago.”
Reflecting on what was said to be “the war to end all wars”, Mr Crymble said Gallipoli presented an immense challenge to Australia, arguably one of the most damaging but the entirety of the war proved …
“To many the belief is this was our greatest challenge during the Great War, at the Western Front, we learned there was far worse,” he said.
“Today we pause and pay respect to all our servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation.
“Further, we acknowledge and respect all those who have served our nation in our defence both in war and peace at home and abroad. We thank them for their service and continued protection they provide. The Anzac legacy remains and is carried out by current serving troops.”
While Anzac Day remembers the diggers and troops who fought during World War I, the evolvement over time has led to the remembrance of all those who have served in wars since 1914.
“It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the East Timor campaign, commencing in 1999. An Australian led military force of more than 20 countries came to the aid of East Timor, who had elected to gain independence from their invaders, Indonesia.
“Initially a tense and volatile situation from Indonesia and pro Indonesian militia forces which could have developed into a full blown confrontation.
“Later this operation would become a monitoring and peacekeeping force. Many of our troops served in both war and peacetime operations in this country over 14 years, only leaving East Timor in 2013.”
The Anzac Requiem, read by Mount Evelyn CFA member Geoff Dawson, tells of sacrifices made across decades, continents and conflicts.
“We remember those who still sleep where they were left — amid the holly scrub in the valleys and on the ridges of Gallipoli — on the rocky and terraced hills of Palestine — and in the lovely cemeteries of France,” it reads.
“We remember those who lie in unknown resting places in almost every land, and those gallant men whose grave is the unending sea.
“We think of those of our women’s services who gave their lives in our own and foreign lands and at sea, and of those who proved to be, in much more than name, the sisters of our fighting men.
“We think of those gallant men who died in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, assisting to defend the Commonwealth, and other countries of the Free World, against a common enemy.”
Floral tributes were laid by Mount Evelyn’s football, netball and cricket clubs, Mooroolbark College, Yarra Hills Secondary College, Mount Evelyn History Group, St John Ambulance and many more from the community.
The service was completed by the sound of kookaburras laughing on cue as the dawn began to break.
The march of veterans, their families, scouts and members of the community led attendees back to the RSL clubrooms for breakfast.
