ANZAC Day services to be held across Ballarat

Thousands of people are once again expected to attend a range of ANZAC Day services across Ballarat next week.

Services will commence at the Ballarat Cenotaph in Sturt Street at 6am for the Dawn Service and will be followed with services at Cardigan at 7am, the Arch of Victory at 8am, Sebastopol at 8.45am, wreath laying service at the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial at 9am, Miners Rest at 10am and Buninyong at 10.15am.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said ANZAC Day continued to be one of the most important days on the calendar.

“You can just tell by the huge crowds that turn out every single year, that ANZAC Day still has such an important place in our society,” Cr Hudson said.

“We know that once again this year Ballarat people are going to pay their respects and I really do encourage everybody to set aside some time during their day to take a moment to reflect.”

The Sturt Street Dawn Service at 6am is once again expected to draw thousands of attendees on April 25, as is the 10.30am Anzac Day March at the Sturt Street Cenotaph immediately followed by the Commemorative Service.

This year, there will be special recognition of the 100th anniversary of Legacy, an organisation that seeks to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one.

“After 100 years they are still going strong and continuing to do their wonderful work,” said Ballarat RSL president Alan Douglas.

“They work quietly in the background and do so much with veteran’s families.”

At the Arch of Victory service, 19 men who died shortly after returning home from serving in the First World War will be remembered.

Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee President Garry Snowden said the service would pay homage to a group of people who were often forgotten, while simultaneously honouring everybody who served for the country.

“We so often fall into the trap of assuming that those who came home just settled back into life as it was before they went away,” Mr Snowden said.

“Certainly, these days we are better at recognising that many of our veterans carry physical and mental wounds that are a direct consequence of their service, but that wasn’t the case in the 1920s.

“By remembering these 19 men, and telling some of their stories, we are really remembering and honouring all of those men and women who have served our country but who then endured ongoing health issues attributable to their service.”

For the full list of ANZAC Day services, road closures, and to even find some ANZAC biscuits recipes, visit the City of Ballarat website.