General News
29 April, 2025
Dunolly’s Anzac Day sees packed RSL hall
Despite some heavy rainfall, the Dunolly community made a show of force at the town’s RSL hall on Friday, marking another successful Anzac Day.
While numbers were strong for the 11 am service, they were equally strong for the town’s Dawn Service at 5.45 am, which saw over 100 residents attend.
By mid-morning dark clouds had rolled in and while the intermittent rain might have scared some off, that wasn’t the case in Dunolly as the march along the main street began.
Led by Callum Liddicoat on the bagpipes and his son Dean as the drummer, the march was a spectacle for all with veterans, local school students and emergency services.
A highlight of the parade once again was the Dunolly Pony Club dressed as the light horse, including a horse drawn cart, symbolising the medical units and light horse brigades that also served.
Arriving at the RSL hall, the crowd only swelled to the point the hall itself was all but overflowing with attendees.
“There were about 20 people outside the hall and it was completely packed,” Dunolly/Bealiba RSL sub branch secretary Lynn Gale said.
“Attendance has been steady over the years which is really good.”
A key part of Friday’s Anzac Day service was the involvement of students from the Dunolly Primary School, with about 30 taking part in singing iconic Australian tunes like Waltzing Matilda, and taking turns at the microphone.
“We try every year to get the school involved and this year we had around 30 students take part,” Ms Gale said.
“We get them to basically run it all — it’s really good for their leadership skills and confidence on a really important day.
“It also teaches them the importance of Anzac Day and gives them an understanding of why we stop and reflect on it each year.”
In a trend that occurs across all local Anzac Day services, community was also at the heart of Dunolly’s services, with guest singer Graeme Melbourne reciting two Anzac themed songs.
“We really try and get people in the community involved, we have guest singers and different people from the area take part in the service in their own way,” she said.
“We want the community to know that we really value and appreciate the support they give us.
“From buying the badges to support a good cause to attending Anzac Day and helping us behind the scenes, it all means a lot.”
