As is now tradition, this year’s Anzac Day commemorations in Wyndham will again begin a few days prior to April 25.
The pre-Anzac Day March down Watton Street, Werribee will kick off remembrance services and activities across the municipality on Sunday April 21.
Led by the Watsonia pipe and drums band and featuring 60 cadets from nearby schools as well as dignitaries and veterans, the march will begin at the Wyndham Cultural Centre and finish at the Werribee War Memorial in Station Place.
Those participating in the march are asked to assemble at the cultural centre at 2pm, with form-up at 2.20 and step off at 2.30pm.
The march is expected to arrive at the cenotaph by 2.45pm and once the service is complete, will then proceed to the Werribee RSL for refreshments.
Two days later on Anzac Day itself, Station Place will again play host to the dawn service, Wyndham’s largest Anzac remembrance ceremony which last year attracted more than 8000 people.
The 2024 dawn service begins at 6.30am and afterwards, a gunfire breakfast will be offered at Werribee RSL with entry requiring a gold coin donation.
All proceeds will go towards assisting veterans.
Most veterans are then expected to head into the city for the Melbourne Anzac Day march before returning back to the Werribee RSL for games of two-up in the afternoon.
Wyndham’s other large dawn service will be held at Saltwater Reserve in Point Cook.
Hosted by the Point Cook Football Club, with assistance from the Point Cook cricket and basketball clubs, the dawn service will commence at 5.45am and be followed by a barbecue breakfast and raffle.
Point Cook Football Club president, Ivo Havard, said the dawn service at Saltwater Reserve began when the nearby RAAF base stopped holding one and has grown in popularity each year.
“We got up to about 800 people least year and I’m hoping we can bust through a 1000 this year,” he said.
Western Football League clubs Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts will again meet in a Anzac Day clash at Hogans Road Reserve.
Cade Lucas.
