Defence personnel, their families, community members and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects to those who have served and died in wars and conflicts on Anzac Day.
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A group of 50 people left the Seymour RSL at 5.45am on Tuesday and marched to the Seymour District Memorial Hospital for a 6am service.
A crowd of 500 gathered and braved the crisp morning for a dawn service.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Seymour RSL, Vietnam veterans, St Mary’s College, young veterans and Mitchell Shire Council among other individuals and organisations.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland gave a speech acknowledging the special connection Seymour has with the Australian Defence Force.
“Throughout our town are daily reminders that stand proudly as testament to the town’s contribution to our nation’s defence and the upholding of our values across the world,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The service of 50 of our servicemen and women are enshrined at the Seymour Hospital Memorial Park, the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk symbolises the 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War and Light Horse Memorial Park where troops gathered over 100 years ago.”
Following the service, the crowd packed into the Seymour RSL for a gunfire breakfast.
Seymour RSL Sub-branch president Matt McLaughlin spoke last week of the branch’s proud history and growing membership, particularly among younger veterans.
Within three years the Seymour RSL has gone from 120 members to 320 members.
“The actual hall is from 1945. We did some minor renovations and we found that grew our membership ... and the older veterans are actually enjoying that,” Mr McLaughlin said.
With the Victorian budget coming up next month, the Seymour RSL committee is hoping for funding to carry out much needed renovations on the hall to cater to the growing membership.
A second service was held at the Seymour War Memorial at 10am, where again people gathered to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those who served and died in wars and conflicts.
The service included speeches and the laying of wreaths.