ANZAC Day

Dawn Service at the Shrine of Rememberance


Waiting to go through the Shrine


Shrine Attendent


ANZAC Day march


What a moving day ANZAC day way. I got up way too early, 4am, and caught a bus into the city to go to the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Rememberance. It was lovely sevice, with thousands of people attending, marred slightly by the couple of drunk ladies wandering round during it.

After the Service finished I decided to line up to go through the Shrine to lay a poppy on the stone in honour of those who fought and continue to fight for us. Apparently so did most of the people who had attended the service, and I ended up at the back of a very long, slow moving queue to go through the Shrine. Eventually I made it through after almost 2 hours, but glad I had waited.

I then headed down to the Gunfire Breakfast, put on by the Army, before continuing on to Flinders Street station, so I could watch the start of the parade, while I wated to join my Grandfathers squadran, with whome I was going to march. It was amazing how many people come out to watch the parade, and how many set themselves up for the day, with chairs and eskies, so they will be comfortable for the whole march. It is fantastic to think so many people still pay thier respects to those who faught or are fighting, as it is the only way to remember the sacrifices made, and ensure we never go through it again.

Eventually I went down to line up with my Grandfathers squadran 10th Squadran in the RAAF, with the Sunderland flying boats. We then marched up St Kilda road to the Shrine, which took about 50 minutes or so. The path of the march was lined the whole way with people who had come to watch.

When we finished marching, I watched the rest of the march, and then met up with a friend who had been marching with the Vietnam Veterans.