Record Dawn Service crowd honours fallen heroes

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG RSL says that Anzac Appeals around Greater Dandenong have helped raise more than $25,000 for the cause.
Anzac Day in Greater Dandenong was celebrated on Friday 25 April beginning with a 6am Dawn Service at the Pillars of Freedom war memorial in central Dandenong.
Star was on scene to capture what is an emotional moment for many people.
Dandenong RSL secretary John Laughton told the crowd he believed it to be the largest Dandenong Dawn Service yet, with an estimated 400 people in attendance.
After the service, people moved to the Dandenong RSL subbranch where they were treated to a breakfast of sausages and hash browns, complete with orange juice, tea and coffee.
Later that morning, at 10.30, the RSL held another service at the Pillars of Freedom.
The City of Greater Dandenong Band performed at both events, and the mid-morning march included a marching body from HMAS Cerberus.
Dandenong RSL welfare committee chairman John Filmer later told Star that Anzac Appeals – of which the money goes to help widows of ex-servicemen – had raised more than $25,000 across outlets in Greater Dandenong.