Thousands at Bunbury Dawn Service

Thousands paid their respects at this morning’s Anzac Day Dawn Service in Bunbury, as the sun began to rise over the Anzac Park war memorial on Victoria Street.

The HMAS Toowoomba crew, who docked in Bunbury last night, formed the cenotaph guard at the commemoration after marching from the Returned and Services League on Spencer Street.

Bunbury Men of Song welcomed the crew and onlookers with a rendition of Paul Jarman’s Band of Brothers.

Father Kuzie Tuhura recited The Ode in Maori, before Bunbury RSL president John Gelmi delivered the words of Laurence Binyon’s famous memorial poem to the crowd.

HMAS Toowoomba commander Stuart Watters gave the Dawn Service address, acknowledging the 102nd anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers’ landing at Gallipoli.

“On this day, in the darkest before dawn, the Anzacs stormed to shore at a place now known as Anzac Cove,” commander Watters said.

“It was our first major contribution to the world as a nation, Australia was only 14 years old at the time.

“Two thousand Anzacs were dead at the end of the day. But through perseverance, courage and comradeship they held their ground. It was a baptism of fire.

“We should never forget the deeds, courage and fortitude of these original Anzacs.”

The Morning Service will start at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell at 10.30am.