MILDURA RSL president Gary Pearse said while the sub-branch didn’t break the crowd limit of 5000 for the Anzac Day march and service, “we got close”.
Thousands lined Deakin Avenue for Sunday’s march and then attended a moving service at Henderson Park, lifting the spirits of veterans and their families after last year’s event was cancelled.
“It means a lot,” Mr Pearse said as he looked out over the vast crowd after the commemoration service.
“You take a look out there and they are all catching up with old friends, comrades, relatives and other people they may not have seen for a while.”
All COVID-19 restrictions were closely adhered to at the service.
In welcoming the big crowd, master of ceremonies John Braniff said it was a return to “some semblance of normality” and thanked the Mildura RSL for ensuring the event went ahead amid the many restrictions.
The service included addresses from Mr Pearse and Commander Bronwyn Lowe, who has served in the Royal Navy for more than 20 years.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster, Member for Mildura Ali Cupper and Mildura Mayor Jason Modica then joined veterans and other guests in the wreath ceremony, before the Last Post was played.
Mr Pearse said he had received many positive comments about the return of the service, admitting that the cancellation of the event last year took a heavy toll on veterans.
“As a policeman I had to enforce the COVID-19 requirements last year, so I was driving around town,” he said.
“They couldn’t lay wreaths, but then later in the afternoon there were wreaths everywhere, so it was very hard for people.
“I had some very good comments that we were back into it, but of course we can’t forget that there were some of our veterans in aged-care facilities who couldn’t come out because of the (COVID-19) risk and they were very upset about that.”
After the ceremony, veterans and their families returned to the Mildura RSL for refreshments.
“That is usually the best part of the day because they can catch up with everyone and find out what’s happened to comrades, family and mates,” Mr Pearse said.
