Residents pay respects

The Cenotaph was full of wreaths on Anzac Day. (Gerald Lynch)

Residents flocked to the Craigieburn War Memorial at Anzac Park to pay respects and honour the sacrifices of over 100,000 men and women who served for our country.

The Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee conducted the 17th Anzac Day Service with a Dawn Service at 6am and a Morning Service at 10am on Wednesday, April 25 to commemorate Anzac Day.

More than 1500 locals battled the morning frost to attend the Dawn Service, followed by more than 2000 attendees at the Morning Service.

President of the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee, Kevin O’Callaghan said the two services were a success, and that it was fantastic to see so many locals paying tribute to those who served to defend Australia.

“The day went really well, we saw some younger veterans attend which we haven’t seen for a while… they fought in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said.

Several community organisations and schools were invited to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph, including Hume mayor Naim Kurt, councillors Joseph Haweil, Carly Moore and Jim Overend and a host of local MPs; Kalkallo MP, Ros Spence, Greenvale MP, Iwan Walters, and Liberal Northern Metropolitan MP Evan Mulholland.

Both Services were well attended by residents from Craigieburn and surrounding suburbs, with 18 schools represented in laying wreaths.

Gerald Lynch