By YASEMIN TALAT
THE CAROLINE SPRINGS RSL Sub-branch will commemorate Anzac Day this year with over 500 community members expected to attend the dawn service.
The Dawn Service will be held at the Caroline Springs Memorial from 6am, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast, with students from surrounding schools also taking part in the service.
Sub-branch president Peter Burquest said it was important for the community to come together and continue the Anzac spirit.
“We want to keep the theme of Anzacs going and keep the history alive, especially for the younger generations,” Mr Burquest said.
The sub-branch, which officially opened its doors in February this year, already has over 100 members.
And as the membership continued to grow, Mr Burquest hoped younger war veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and the like would also come on board.
Mr Burquest said he hoped to build a support network for the younger veterans, who experienced what he and other Vietnam War veterans experienced during their service in 1968.
“We are basically here for the young guys, no matter how the young guys went away they won’t come back the same,” Mr Burquest said.
“We can help them with their welfare and their pensions if need be and make sure they get headed in the right direction and not be misguided,” he said.
Anzac commemorations will continue in Caroline Springs with an Anzac Football Match held on Saturday 26 April at Caroline Springs Football Club.
A service will be held and the Kororoit Creek Primary School choir will sing the national anthem before kick-off.
Another Anzac match will be held at St Albans Sports club with also with a short service and medal presentation after the match.
The Caroline Springs Sub-branch will also host a range of activities for members throughout the year.
To help with sponsorship or donations email p.burquest@bigpond.com
