WIMMERA residents will commemorate 100 years since the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli with services and marches across the region next week.
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In West Wimmera Shire there will be services at Edenhope, Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke and Aspley.
Edenhope RSL secretary Malcolm Hunting encouraged everyone in the community to attend a service.
‘‘It is the 100th year of remembrance, not glorification, of those men and women who put their life on the line to serve their country,’’ he said.
‘‘I encourage everyone to come along and remember those who fought for us.
‘‘It’s also a great opportunity for the community to get together.’’
Mr Hunting said the Edenhope event would include breakfast at 7am, followed by a service at the town’s cenotaph at 10.30am.
‘‘The start of our service will be a bit different from usual to mark the 100th anniversary,’’ he said.
‘‘There will be a military re-enactment and a three-round salute.’’
The service will include guest speaker Major Mick Thompson from Tobruk Barracks at Puckapunyal.
‘‘Everyone is then invited to the RSL hall afterwards to watch the Anzac Day AFL match between Collingwood and Essendon on the big screen,’’ Mr Hunting said.
Kaniva’s Anzac Day service will include an opening of a new First World War display, which includes honour boards, memorabilia, stories and photos from the war.
West Wimmera Shire established an Anzac Commemorations Advisory Committee to help communities mark the day.
Chief executive Mark Crouch said it was an important event and time in Australia’s relatively short history.
‘‘Although we are a small council with limited resources, we have initiated a number of projects to mark and reflect on the contribution made by early residents in West Wimmera,’’ he said.
‘‘A small but dedicated group have been meeting and planning various activities.’’
Mr Crouch said activities included relocating honour boards to the shire office foyer to increase public awareness, tree planting, renaming Amos Street, Edenhope to Anzac Avenue, and maintenance and restorative works at memorials at Apsley, Goroke, Kaniva, Edenhope and Harrow.