ANZAC Day 2021: Maroondah community encouraged to support veterans in their own way

The Maroondah community is being encouraged to take a moment on ANZAC Day to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have bravely served our nation in wartime, and to the men and women who continue to serve in military conflict and peacekeeping operations around the world.

ANZAC Day events have been given the green light by the Victorian Government to proceed with crowds, as long as COVID-safe planning is in place.

The Ringwood RSL sub-branch will commemorate ANZAC Day with a march on Sunday 18 April and a dawn service will be held at the Ringwood Memorial Clocktower from 5.45am on Sunday April 25, in line with COVID-safe guidelines.

Members of the community are welcome to attend the dawn service, with Ringwood RSL President David Jamison to lead a ceremony and lay a wreath. At dawn, a lone bugler will sound The Last Post before a minute’s silence.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Kylie Spears, will attend the dawn service to lay a wreath on behalf of the community.

A traditional commemoration march will take place from 10am on Sunday 18 April, starting from the corner of New and Seymour streets, Ringwood, heading east along Maroondah Highway and then onto the Memorial Clocktower for a memorial service. 

“We understand the desire of veterans to honour their comrades by attending memorial services but are mindful of the need for public safety. We will have COVID Safety Plans in place for both events,” Mr Jamison said.

He went on to say that some families may have concerns about attending public events, and in this case, he urged them to take part in neighbourhood commemorations at 6am on ANZAC Day from their driveway or balcony, uniting in spirit rather than in person to remember those who have served and sacrificed.

Last year, ANZAC Day was marked by Australians standing at the foot of their driveways and lighting a candle at dawn as marches were cancelled amid stringent COVID-19 restrictions.

Cr Spears said that following the cancellation of events last year, this year was an opportunity for the community to come together to reflect on the courage and sacrifices of soldiers past and present.

“More than 100 years since the landing on Gallipoli, this day still resonates deeply with people young and old,” she said.

Cr Spears encouraged residents to honour veterans in their own way, making sure to observe physical distancing rules.

“I urge the community to keep in mind that some events are invitation-only, and any events open to the public still require participants to observe social distancing,” Cr Spears said.

“It will indeed be a great honour for myself and my fellow Councillors to place a wreath on behalf of Council and the Maroondah community during these important and poignant ceremonies,” she added.

Croydon RSL President John Hexter said the sub-branch will be proceeding with its ANZAC service and march on 18 April.

Veterans, 408 Squadron cadets and the Old Scotch Pipes and Drums band will be marching from 2.30pm along Main Street, Croydon onto Mount Dandenong Road and into Civic Square for a memorial service at 3pm at James Steven Memorial Lawn. Cr Spears will be joined by Councillor Paul Macdonald at the memorial service to lay a wreath.

Due to unanticipated numbers this year, the Croydon RSL sub-branch will be hosting a private ANZAC Day dawn service at the Cenotaph located at the roundabout on the corner of Kent Avenue and Croydon Road on Sunday 25 April, with Councillors Paul Macdonald and Rob Steane among those invited to attend.

Mr Hexter said that unfortunately there would be no gunfire breakfast following the service due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

He encouraged community members to lay a wreath at their local cenotaph or memorial ahead of ANZAC Day or stand in their driveway with a candle or phone light on the 25 April to mark the occasion.

The community can also show their support from home by taking part in #lightupthedawn on social media while observing the traditional minute’s silence from their driveways, front yards or balconies.

Both RSLs traditionally hold their marches the week before ANZAC Day to allow veterans to take part in the Melbourne ANZAC Day March along St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance on 25 April.

ANZAC Day - one of our most important national days - began as a commemoration of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I. It has grown to become a reflection on the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served in conflict or on peacekeeping operations.

The Melbourne Dawn Service will be broadcast on ABC radio and livestreamed on ANZAC Day via the Shrine of Remembrance’s website at shrine.org.au or RSL Victoria website at rslvic.com.au

Contact your local RSL to check details ahead of ANZAC Day in case of a change to COVID-19 restrictions.

Anyone wishing to support the ANZAC Appeal can make an online donation on the

Money raised through the annual fundraiser will go towards funding vital services for veterans and their families.