With COVID restrictions all but gone, Anzac commemoration services across Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay will return to pre pandemic normalcy this year, with many residents across the municipalities expected to pay their respects on April 25.
Glen Best is the former Spotswood-Kingsville RSL President and has been serving in the Royal Australian Air Force since 1989.
Having been deployed in the Middle East during Anzac Day in 2004, he said the day is an opportunity to actually stop and reflect on the past experiences of the many courageous Australians who have served their country.
“[You can reflect on] what that means for the future as well when you look at what’s happening in the world, its current state,” he said.
“I mean, we’ve been on long term operations, we’ve only sort of really just stopped the Middle East after almost 15 years.
“It’s a little bit different, you know, standing in the relative safety of your local neighbourhood, sort of reflecting, you know, on people’s past experiences. It’s an opportunity to reflect on people that you’ve lost in the past that you’ve served with.”
This year, the Spotswood-Kingsville RSL is running two services, a dawn service at 5:45am and a morning service at 11am.
A GunFire breakfast, consisting of Anzac biscuits and coffee, will be available at 5:20am and when the dawn service has finished bacon and egg rolls and refreshments will be served.
“Members of the public will be given the opportunity to lay tributes if they wish as part of that service,” Mr Best said.
“Then a second service is going to be held…which is a bit longer and more formal. On conclusion of that the bar will be open, we’ll be having a barbecue, there’ll be two-up during the afternoon played at the RSL, and obviously footy on the big screen.”
Gold coin donations for the dawn service breakfast are welcomed, with any money raised going towards the Anzac appeal which supports veteran welfare.
For more information on the RSL and its Anzac Day services visit https://www.skrsl.com.au/index.php or its Facebook page.
