Remembering those who have served our country

Each year, the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee hosts an Anzac Day service where the names of men and women listed in the Avenue of Honour are read out.

When Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee President Garry Snowden travelled to Gallipoli many years ago to volunteer cleaning the surrounding beaches ahead of the annual Anzac Day service, he expected to be picking up litter — not wrestling an old fridge out of the shallows. 

Fellow committee member, Paul Jenkins, just happened to visit Anzac Cove that morning with the Premier’s ‘Spirit of Anzac’ group.

“It was quite a sight, walking along the beach and seeing an old bloke dragging in the fridge,” he laughs.

Having visited Gallipoli 19 times, Garry has seen it all.

However, he brings the same ‘do what needs to be done’ attitude to his role with the Arch of Victory/ Avenue of Honour Committee in Ballarat and their annual Anzac Day service.

Despite having no personal connection to the events that unfolded at Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915, Garry is passionate about ensuring the men and women who served Australia in the armed forces are remembered for their service and sacrifice.

“Our services always focus on Ballarat soldiers and nurses, and each year we pick a different theme and focus on a group of people who are listed in the Avenue of Honour,” Garry says.

This year, the Anzac Day service will commemorate 19 sets of brothers remembered by street names in Lucas. Other themes have included commemorating fathers who left their families to serve, nurses, or those who were still teenagers.

For Garry, the most profound part of their annual Anzac Day service is the calling of names of people from the Avenue of Honour.

“I think that gives truth to the pledge of ‘In the morning, we will remember them’,” Garry says.

“It’s easy to say those words, but I believe by calling their names, we are genuinely remembering them.”

The Anzac Day Service at the Arch of Victory/Garden of the Grieving Mother will be held at 8am on 25 April.

The learn more visit the Arch of Victory Centenary page