By Danielle Kutchel
Despite the threat of rain, around 200 people joined the Noble Park RSL Sub-branch on Sunday April 21 to commemorate ANZAC Day.
The sub-branch usually holds its service on the Sunday prior to ANZAC Day, to allow diggers and others in the community to spend the day itself as they wish.
Manager Mark Wilkinson said many of Noble Park’s diggers participate in the Melbourne march; holding the Noble Park ceremony earlier in the week means they can take part in both.
This year’s Noble Park service included a march along Mons Parade to the nearby memorial park. Lieutenant Commander Duncan MacRae spoke to those gathered about his experiences in the navy.
Attendees included Mayor Roz Blades AM and a number of councillors from the City of Greater Dandenong, as well as Federal Member for Bruce Julian Hill.
The ANZAC commemorations continue this weekend, with Noble Park RSL Welfare Officer and Vietnam veteran Michael North conducting services at footy games in Keysborough and Parkmore.
“ANZAC Day is about remembering,” he said.
“We honour our comrades and men who died in the first and second world wars, Malaya, Korea – but I will think of mates I lost in Vietnam.”
