M
elbourne marked ANZAC Day with dawn services, marches and quiet moments of reflection across the city, as communities gathered to honour those who served and sacrificed in war.
From the south-east to the bayside and the northern suburbs, hundreds stood in the early morning light to remember the fallen, many repeating the simple words: Lest we forget.
In Pakenham and Officer, volunteers from Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar, Officer, joined dawn services alongside the wider community. They paid tribute not only to Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, but also to the often-overlooked contribution of Indian and Sikh soldiers.
During the First World War, an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million Indian soldiers served, while more than 2.5 million volunteered in the Second World War. Despite making up a small percentage of India’s population, Sikhs formed a significant part of the British Indian Army, with tens of thousands killed or wounded across both wars. Community members said their courage and sacrifice remain an enduring legacy, said Harpeet Singh Kanra, a community leader of the Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer.
Across the City of Monash, locals gathered at dawn to pause and reflect. Councillor Elisha Lee said the service was a moment for the community to come together and honour the contributions of all servicemen and women.
Further south, State MP Tim Richardson described the dawn service at Chelsea Longbeach RSL as “really moving,” with thousands of residents attending to pay their respects and reflect on the service of Australians and New Zealanders.
In the eastern suburbs, students from schools in Wheelers Hill, Glen Waverley and Mulgrave took part in commemorations at the Glen Waverley Cenotaph. They presented a handmade wreath of rosemary and native flowers, in what organisers described as a deeply moving moment that left many feeling reflective and united.
At Oakleigh Memorial, community member Siddharth Maitrak said standing before the engraved names of local soldiers brought home the human cost of war. He spoke of families who waited, lives cut short, and veterans who returned with unseen scars, reminding those present that “freedom is never free.”
In Altona, a strong crowd turned out for the ANZAC Day march and dawn service at the local RSL. A highlight was the presence of Korean War veteran Ray Duckett, whose attendance was warmly acknowledged. Volunteers were also thanked for preparing breakfast for servicemen, members and guests after the service.
Emergency services joined commemorations in the north-east, with Eltham CFA and Research CFA taking part in a march to the Montmorency-Eltham RSL for a community service at Petrie Park.
Services across Keilor East, Watsonia and Greensborough also saw strong turnouts, with people of all ages gathering under clear skies to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
Whether through marches, wreath-laying or quiet reflection, the message across Melbourne was clear — the ANZAC spirit remains strong, carried forward by communities determined to remember.
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