COMMUNITY members throughout the Alpine Shire are invited to attend this year’s ANZAC Day services on Friday, 25 April, to commemorate the 110-year anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign.

RSL branches in Myrtleford, Bright and Mt Beauty have a number of services planned.

MYRTLEFORD

In Myrtleford, the day will start with a 6am dawn service at the A.D. Lowerson VC Memorial Square, with attendees able to collect a candle and receive a warm drink for a gold-coin donation.

This will be followed by a traditional gunfire breakfast, also for a gold-coin donation which goes towards veteran welfare, hosted at the Buffalo Hotel across the road.

The morning's March will begin at 10:30am after participants have assembled at the Myrtleford RSL in Smith Street.

An officer and a 21-strong marching contingent from the Army School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, (ASEME) in Bandiana, will lead this year's march.

The main Myrtleford township service will also incorporate local community organisations and schools and is set to commence at 11am, with Myrtleford RSL president, Kim Buffett, to begin the service with a welcome, to be followed by the guest speaker who will be the ASEME contingent leader.

Mr Buffett said between the Dawn service, Gunfire breakfast and 11am service, the gathered crowds on the day would likely exceed 500 people.

"The RSL committee has been working hard over the last couple of months to ensure that we are able to provide the Myrtleford community with a great ANZAC Day," Mr Buffett said.

"The biggest hurdle this year seems to be the shortage of eggs, but we are working through that issue to ensure that the Gunfire breakfast has the best bacon and egg rolls available.

“My great grandfather served in WWI and my grandfather in WWII, so ANZAC Day was always a special day to me.

"As a returned serviceman, ANZAC Day became an important day of reflection of my own service, as well as my family's service.

"Now as the president, it brings with it a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that the men and women from Myrtleford and the surrounding areas who have served and especially those that paid the ultimate sacrifice are remembered and honoured."

To ensure attendee safety, Clyde Street will be closed at 10am, Myrtle Street will be closed at 10.30am and seating, which will be set up on Clyde Street, will be available from 10.30am.

A number of local service organisations, clubs and schools will be laying wreaths at the 11am service.

At its conclusion, a light lunch will be made available in the RSL Hall, and a donation to the RSL upon entry would be appreciated.

Drinks will be available at RSL prices and the Anzac Bear raffle will be drawn during the afternoon.

Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

With regards to the wearing of service medals: veterans wear their earned medals on the left-hand side of their chest on their uniform or civilian attire and those of a relative, on the right-hand side.

Relatives of veterans wear the veteran’s medals on their right chest.

BRIGHT

ANZAC Day commemorations in Bright will commence with a dawn service at Mafeking Square (Ireland Street) at 5.50am.

The march and main service will be held at 10.40am and 10.50am respectively.

Following the service light refreshments will be held at the RSL Hall in Camp Street.

Bright RSL branch president, Philip Keegan, said the goal of ANZAC Day this year is the same as always, "remembering those fallen soldiers from Bright and around the country…who joined the fight in the hope of making the world, and Bright, a better place…"

Mr Keegan said a special addition this year has been the discovery of records of two local nurses, from Bright and Smoko - Lt Colonel Helena Elizabeth Monica McMahon McMahon and nurse (Sister) Florence Maud Howitt - who served in WWII and WW1 respectively.

"We have since created displays in our RSL rooms to honour them," he said.

Bright RSL associate member Pauline McCall is hoping a large crowd will attend tomorrow's services.

Ms McCall has been among those manning stalls for the ANZAC Appeal in Bright, with today being the final day for the stalls - in front of the Bright Hospital Op Shop and Suganya's Thai Restaurant in Ireland Street - from 10am to 2pm.

"My family has been involved with the RSL, as my father was a POW in WWII, my husband as well: who worked on the Burma railway," she said.

"My husband and myself, will be helping at the Gunfire breakfast, after the dawn service, held in the RSL rooms."

MOUNT BEAUTY

A DAWN service will be held at Bicentennial Park (Lakeside Avenue) at 7am.

The march and main service will be at 10.45 and 11am respectively at Memorial Park.

Following the service light refreshments will be served at Mountain Monk Brewers.

ANZAC DAY TRAFFIC CHANGES

The following roads will be closed for short periods of time on Friday, 25 April to allow the safe staging of the ANZAC Day services across the Alpine Shire.

MYRTLEFORD

- 10am to approx 12pm: Clyde St closed between Queen St and Great Alpine Road.

- 10.30am to approx 12pm: Great Alpine Road closed between Standish St and Albert St / Lewis Ave; Clyde St closed between Standish St and Queen St; Smith St will be closed for a short period between the Myrtleford RSL Hall and Standish St for the march. A detour will be in place for all vehicles, please follow the signs

Note: The V/Line bus stops on Great Alpine Road will be temporarily moved to the corner of Albert and Elgin Sts, in front of the Old School Museum, for the duration of the closure.

BRIGHT

- 5.45am to approx 6.45am: Ireland St closed at Barnard St/ Camp St intersection; Ireland St closed at the Cobden St roundabout; Burke St closed at the roundabout (clock tower); Anderson St closed at Wood St intersection.

- 10am to approx 12pm: Ireland St closed at Mafeking Square roundabout; Ireland St closed at the Cobden St roundabout; Bourke St closed at the entry to the roundabout

Anderson St closed at Wood St intersection.

- 10.30am to approx 11am: Bakers Gully Rd closed between Park St and Cobden St to allow for the commencement of the march.

Note: The V/Line bus stop in Anderson St will be moved to Apex Park on Gavan St (opposite Woolworths) for the duration of the closure.

Anzac Day

The following roads will be closed for short periods of time on Friday, 25 April 2025 to allow the safe staging of the Anzac Day Services across the shire.

MOUNT BEAUTY

- 10.30am to approx 11.45am: Lakeside Ave closed between Kiewa Valley Highway and Kiewa Cres. A detour will be in place for all vehicles, please follow the signs.

Park St will be closed for a short period between Kiewa and Tawonga Cres for the march.

Note: This will also close Hollonds St to through traffic. Any cars parked in Hollonds St will be able to exit via Park Street after the march.