On Thursday, April 25, thousands of residents from Sunbury and Macedon Ranges gathered for dawn and morning services on the national day of commemoration.
The Sunbury RSL Sub-branch and Sunbury Historical Society joined forces for the dawn service and wreath laying ceremony at the Sunbury War Memorial Cenotaph. There was also the Sunbury Youth Vigil and commemorative march.
When speaking about the importance of the day, Sunbury RSL Sub-branch president Graeme Williams recounted a quote from former Governor General Sir William Deane.
On Anzac Day in 1999 Sir Deane said ‘Anzac is not merely about loss’.
‘It is about courage, and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humour and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.’
As a Vietnam veteran, Mr Williams said the day is a time for him to remember and pay tribute to those he knew as well, as those who served before him and those who continue to serve.
“Anzac Day to me is a chance to remember and pay tribute to the members from my unit, which was only a small one, who have died since returning from Vietnam and are no longer with us,” he said.
“It is a chance for the general public to come along to an Anzac Day Service and pay tribute to the men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting this great country.
“And to remember the men and women who returned from war but suffered ill health as a result of their service for the rest of their lives.”
