WOORINEN RSL is expecting a good attendance at its fourth Anzac Day dawn service, taking place at the Woorinen Recreation Reserve memorial gates at 6am on Tuesday.
The event will be followed by a complimentary breakfast, provided by the RSL and Woorinen Football Netball Club.
Neil Selleck, of Woorinen RSL, said the club’s membership numbers had remained strong at about 85.
He said it was also important to remember New Zealand veterans on Anzac Day.
“We raise the New Zealand flag on the day and usually bring over a speaker from New Zealand, however we were unable to get anyone over the ditch this year,” he said.
This year’s service will include a talk by air force veteran and Woorinen RSL member Steve Hayes.
After his service around Australia and in Afghanistan, Mr Hayes had been encouraged by the array of attendees at Woorinen’s service.
“We have a very mixed group attending our service,” he said.
“Young footballers, netballers, and a lot of primary school-aged kids. A couple of local schools are even laying a wreath at the dawn service.”
Mr Hayes was also instrumental in ensuring New Zealand servicemen and women were represented in the service.
“It sort of started when the wife and I went to an Anzac service in New Zealand. Over there they raised the Australian flag, played the Australian anthem, so I thought this was probably something we could take back home and put in place.”
