DANDYdawn_29628_14: The Dandenong dawn service drew a record crowd this year.
By Melissa Meehan
THE Anzac spirit lives on in Dandenong. The Dandenong RSL said a record number of people braved the cold to pay their respects.
Dandenong RSL secretary John Laughton said over 500 people attended the 6am dawn service. “It was quite a spectacular turnout,” he said. “It is the biggest crowd we’ve had.”
He said the record turnout was good news for Anzac Day. “People are thinking more about the Anzac efforts,” he said. “They see troops in Afghanistan and realise that there are still people looking after the future of Australia.”
Later on Saturday morning at 10.45am over 350 marched from the RSL to the Pillars of Freedom in Clow Street.
Over 40 sailors, 30 soldiers, naval and airforce cadets and other groups walked proudly down Clow Street under their banners.
Iraqi interpreters joined the march for the first time. When the march reached the Pillars of Freedom seven RAAF Roulettes flew overhead before flying over Berwick and Cranbourne.
Mr Laughton estimated that over 700 people attended the 11am service.
“It just gets bigger each year,” he said. “We noticed a lot of younger people on Saturday, it’s great to see that they are carrying on the Anzac traditions.”
