Willaura’s Anzac Day commemorations started strongly with more people attending this year’s dawn service compared to last year, the local RSL’s secretary treasurer Colin Holmes said.
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A good crowd of local residents, of all ages, also attended the morning service.
Willaura Primary School students read the names of the fallen during the town's morning service.
They also marched alongside servicemen and their families, including World War II veteran George MacKay, who was awarded the Knight of National Order of the Legion of Honour from France for his participation in D-Day. He was part of the Allied forces that on June 6 1944, invaded Normandy, France, and began the liberation of German-occupied north-western Europe.
He was 17 when he enlisted in the Royal Navy (England) in the parachute regiment, and was honoured to be part of an event that "remembers the lads in the war".
“It’s good to see all the people here and have a nice turnout,” Sir MacKay said.
He moved to Australia in 1967, first to Mornington and then to Moyston.
Robert Irvine O.A.M, of Halls Gap was the guest speaker. Mr Irvine was a Junior Legatee, meaning Legacy Australia helped his mother, his five siblings and him when their father Donald Robert Irvine, who had served in New Guinea and in Africa, died.
Mr Irvine is now a legatee and looks after widows of defence force servicemen in Stawell.
Lone bugler Geoff Morley sounded the Last Post and the Hamilton Pipe Band was also involved in the commemorations, including the march from the town’s Cenotaph to the Memorial Hall.
