*ANZAC Day: Croydon, Vic. '09.

Continuing our coverage across Australia in small country towns and capital cities and throughout the world where people have gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day on 25 April.

FFFAIF members have been reporting from northern Queensland to Victoria and across the world in France, Belgium and England. 

FFFAIF member Heather (Frev) Ford reports from Croydon, Victoria ( 37°47’39.80″S, 145°16’53.82″E)

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Croydon War Memorial ( Victoria ) 2009

The weather on this 2009 Anzac Day morn was kind, & although showers had been predicted, the morning remained dry & quite mild.

 The Croydon Memorial is located in the roundabout of a busy intersection beside the railway station, and is therefore extremely well-lit.  Although this allows all in attendance to easily witness the entire proceedings, and makes it very conducive for photography, it does however detract from the ‘dark before the dawn’ atmosphere.

The local police were generous with their time, blocking off all four streets to allow for the hundreds in attendance.  They also chauffered the members of the Catafalque Party back to the RSL after the ceremony (suggesting, if requested nicely, that they would travel with flashing lights!).

 The Catafalque Party was formed from young RAE Reservists, from the 4 Combat Engineer Regiment (Ringwood East), who performed their duty admirably.

 Veterans from the Croydon RSL presided over a service that was short but poignant, and the President was very pleased to note the huge increase in attendance over previous years.

 Amongst the ‘floral offerings’, the one laid by the local scouts in the form of a ‘window box’ planted with poppies & crosses, rates a special mention.

Locals were very appreciative of the magnificent gunfire breakfast served in the dining room of the RSL after the service – where the President again made a point of thanking all those concerned for making the morning a success.

Photos by Andrew Lucas (Father of the member of the Catafalque Party featured in the photos)