By Parker McKenzie
An ANZAC Day dawn service will be held in the Ferntree Gully Quarry on Tuesday 25 April, honouring servicemen and women who have given their lives to protect Australia.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Fern Tree Gully and Ferntree Gully CFA, the Dawn Service asks people to attend at 5.45am for a 6am start.
Rotary Club of Fern Tree Gully President Christine Anderson said she was blown away by the reception to last year’s ANZAC Day service.
“There were a couple of things when we debriefed afterwards that we were going to improve on because we weren’t expecting as many people as there were,” she said.
“Hopefully we’ll just get the same number of people or as many as we possibly can again this year.”
Former Knox City Mayor Karin Orpen OAM will be the master of ceremonies, while Chris Warwick and Rohan Laing will do readings at the event and the anthem will be lead by St Josephs College Choir.
Ferntree Gully CFA Captain Seamus Smith said last year’s event, the first since before the Covid-19 pandemic, had fantastic attendance by the local community.
“It was probably in the vicinity of 800 people and this year we’re expecting similar numbers, if not more,” he said.
“The weather was perfect last year on the morning and it was a fitting service and commemorative event to mark the occasion.”
Those in attendance should bring a torch and a chair if needed, and pedestrian access is via Quarry Road.
Parking is available in Ferntree Gully Village and Upper Ferntree Gully Railway Station, and local traders will again open their doors early for people to enjoy breakfast after the service.
Mr Smith said it is important to bring people together to remember what happened, and the sacrifice by those who went and fought for the rights we currently have and the lives we live.
“It’s extremely important we don’t forget that, and we come together and recognise it,” Mr Smith said.
“We’ve had plenty of support from local groups who also want to be involved with laying reef and trying to be part of it.”
He thanked Ray White for providing advertising for the event and Peter Piro for providing the sound system.
