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ANZAC Day is set to to pull large crowds across the Alpine Shire this year with local RSL branches reporting a rise in support for the annual event.
Bright RSL sub branch president Philip Keeghan invited all to attend and pay their respects.
“The events of the day are all inclusive, including the post-dawn service breakfast and the lunch,” he said.
“It’s a special day and more people are starting to respect and pay homage to the fallen, as well as younger generations who we’re doing a lot of work with through Bright P-12.
“Many are realising that their grandparents and great uncles were killed and there were lots of sacrifices made.”
Bright RSL will hold their dawn service at the cenotaph at 5:50am before heading back to the RSL for breakfast.
“Then from 10:45am we’ll march from the top of Ireland Street to the cenotaph with two WWII veterans; Jack Tuckers aged 97 and Max Hayes aged 91, joining us in vehicles supplied by the preservation society,” Mr Keeghan said.
“The main service will commence around 11am with a Bandiana party joining us, a guest speaker and Jeremy O’Sullivan on the bugle.
“There will be a barbecue lunch after the 11am service barbecue back at the RSL, we invite everyone to come and look around the RSL and our memorabilia.”
Myrtleford RSL sub branch president Bryan Meehan said he’s expecting a huge crowd at this year’s service.
“It’s looking to be a great day, with around 30 caravan enthusiasts currently staying in town and wanting to be involved in events,” he said.
The Myrtleford dawn service will commence at 6am at the cenotaph.
Immediately after the dawn service a gunfire breakfast will be held around 6:30am at the Buffalo Hotel for a gold coin donation.
Mr Meehan said anyone wishing to march before the 11am service must be at the Myrtleford RSL no later than 10:30am.
“The march will head off around 10:50 and finish at the cenotaph, where they will be told to stand easy or take a seat for the 11am service," he said.
The Myrtleford service will finish around 12pm, followed by the unveiling of the RSL's new peacekeeping mosaic at 12:10pm.
The RSL doors will open for a $5 lunch at 12:30pm, and at 1:30pm a traditional session of two-up will commence in the forecourt.
“We’re expecting to be quite busy, which is wonderful," Mr Meehan said.
“It’s just growing; the the general feel is people wanting to remember their grandfathers and even later wars where Australia has played a very active role.
“As a result, the younger generation coming through are keen to be involved."





