Mayor’s Message - Friday 19 April 2024

This Anzac Day around our country and across the world, Australians are pausing – just as we will on 25 April.  

It is an opportunity to show our respect and give thanks on ANZAC Day to the many thousands of Australians who have served our country with valour and distinction.

The story of the ANZACs began on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25th 1915. A total of 35 Ballarat men lost their lives in the first chaotic week of the Gallipoli campaign.  Of those 35 men, 21 have no known grave. Instead, our city and community has honoured them with a tree and plaque in our Avenue of Honour.

We remember too with great gratitude all past and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.  

We honour their sacrifice and their bravery in putting our country before themselves, so that we may have the wonderful Australian way of life that we live today.  

Their courage and nobility will never be forgotten.

In Ballarat we have a range of services across our city, from the Dawn Service in the heart of the city at the Cenotaph on Sturt Street to mid-morning services from Cardigan to Buninyong.  

Services will also be held at the Arch of Victory / Garden of the Grieving Mother, Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Sebastopol and the Miners Rest Cenotaph.

For a full list of the services, road closures and RSL contacts please visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/anzac-day

Lest we forget.

- Mayor Cr Des Hudson