Meet some of the people participating and spectating on the march this ANZAC Day.
Derek Trewarne
Derek Trewarne was proudly marching with the 2/2 Field Regiment. His father enlisted to serve in November 1939.
"My father never really talked about it. My brother and I really got involved afterwards, really to find out more about what he did."
Derek Trewarne
He now wears his great Uncle’s medals from World War One, who was killed on the very first ANZAC Day at Gallipoli.
Derek has been marching for over 10 years with the Regiment and has one remaining veteran left.
“Our role is changing, we now provide history for other people, the descendants are now contacting us for information, we’ve got a website, we’ve got extensive records and a lot of our members are well versed in history so we can help others.”
He says there’s so much educational value in ANZAC Day.
“When you're marching down, it’s surprising to see how many people that still line the streets in St Kilda Road, and obviously a lot of our newer Australians and they're all waving flags and obviously they realise it's very important to Australians.”
Sanjeev Kunwar
As immigrants to Australia, Sanjeev Kunwar and his wife are embracing the country’s history.
Sanjeev has been in Australia for 14 years, his wife for 8, and they’re keen to show their 6 and 4 year olds what ANZAC Day is about.
"I want to explain to them what is the meaning of ANZAC Day, and they were asking to come and see the ex army people who have done many things for Australia and the country it is now."
Sanjeev Kunwar
“We hope our kids will do something for the nation.”
John Cahir
Vietnam Veteran John Cahir is proudly wearing his medals, as he remembers his mates gone too soon.
"It’s a chance to sort of say thanks to the people who are not as lucky as me, who didn’t come home."
John Cahir
John was called up in 1969 and spent 11 months in Vietnam.
He says he had a pretty lucky time in Vietnam, only copping one injury. “The only injury I got was playing football with a rough ground!”
“Look at the time it wasn't very enjoyable, but as you look back, the friends we made I guess was the real benefit.”
A bond for life, which is also why John is at the March today.
“I get to catch up with some guys who I only see once a year, and just the general atmosphere of ANZAC Day and what it all means.”
After the March, John heads to a local city pub to have some lunch with old mates and a beer or two.
Pru
Pru’s great grandfather served in WW2.
“He flew Spitfires and survived the war, but he had injuries and we had a short time with him.”
Pru, who also brought her two daughters aged 12 and 13 says she’s using it to educate her children.
"Service is the number one thing to be learning in our lives."
Pru
“I think we have just as many wars today, they're just different types than the ones we saw. And we certainly haven't seen them on our soil, but we see them in all sorts of other ways, in modern day Australia, and so obviously, it's a stand for peace. And I don't think we understand the kind of resilience and sacrifice these days that people were prepared to make.”
“I think that people put a lot of effort into wars and I know there’s a giant flame that never goes out so we remember forever.”
Robert Kirkland
99 year old WW2 veteran Robert Kirkland was flanked by his nearest and dearest at today’s March.
Robert enlisted when he was 18 and served for four and a half years. Once he discharged, he says life was challenging.
"It was hard. It was hard to settle down, it was challenging and that was only after 4 and half years, I can’t imagine the men now who serve for their whole lives. I feel sorry for them because I know what it’s like to try and settle down."
Robert Kirkland
Today, he remembers.
“I think of the boys, I was with them for so long and now I’m the last one.”
With his family determined to get him to the March, he says he’s representing those who have passed.
His life lesson is one he learnt in the aftermath of his service years.
“Remember the good times, forget the bad.”
Andrew Sim
“It’s ANZAC Day, it’s one of the most poignant days in the Australian calendar,” says Army Reservist, Andrew Sim.
“It’s not to glorify war or anything like, we are here to commemorate.”
“It’s about the people that have died in the defence of this country, to remember the people that didn’t come back.”
With family members that served in both World Wars, Andrew was inspired to serve as a reservist, enlisting in 2004.
“I’ve had the honour of deploying twice, to the Solomon Islands in 2009 for 4 months and to East Timor in 2012 for 8 months. It was very humbling, that’s how I would describe it.”
With family members that served in both World Wars, Andrew was inspired to serve as a reservist, enlisting in 2004.
“I’ve had the honour of deploying twice, to the Solomon Islands in 2009 for 4 months and to East Timor in 2012 for 8 months. It was very humbling, that’s how I would describe it.”
Colin Fraser
Last ANZAC Day, we brought you the story of Colin Fraser.
We are pleased to say Colin, 99, was spotted in the ANZAC Day March again this year, with his son by his side.
Victorians Return to Melbourne for ANZAC Day Commemorations
Thousands of people joined today’s Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine in an expression of mass gratitude for the men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces.
A Proud March Home
RSL Victoria State President, Dr Robert Webster OAM, discusses what the Melbourne march on ANZAC Day means to him
