THOUSANDS of people from across Greater Bunbury will converge on the city on Anzac Day to join services held in memory of defence personnel who lost their lives, were injured or served in war across the world.
Bunbury RSL president John Gelmi said there was a fantastic turnout of more than 2000 people at last year’s dawn service and parade, which had been steadily building over recent years.
Mr Gelmi said the 100-year anniversary of World War One’s beginning had generated increasing public interest in wartime history.
This year’s commemoration will include a Maori blessing and both the Maori and New Zealand national anthems will be sung alongside Advance Australia Fair.
Mr Gelmi said Naval Captain Darron Kavanagh would be the guest of honour at the service and would lead the parade.
On April 25, a dawn service is held at the Anzac Park war memorial on Stirling Street, starting with a march from the RSL on Spencer Street to the memorial from 5.50am.
The service begins at 6am with local families and community members flocking to the site to pay their respect.
The march returns to the RSL at 6.20am.
Road closures will be in place from 5.30am to 6.30am. Go to bunbury.wa.gov.au for a closure map.
The dawn service is followed by an Anzac Day parade from 10.45am, which starts at the RSL and travels to the Graham Bricknell Music Shell.
A service begins at the shell from 11am and the march returns to the RSL at 12noon.
Harvey
A dawn service will be held at the Harvey War Memorial Library at 6am followed by the march from Uduc Road to the library from 10.15am and the main service at the Harvey Recreation Centre from 11am.
Brunswick Junction
Brunswick Junction will hold a march from 7.15am from the ambulance hall, to be followed by the main service at the town hall from 7.45am.
Yarloop
In Yarloop, people are asked to assemble at the fire station at 5.30am for a 6am service and march-past. A breakfast will be held at 7am and a lunch at 12noon.
Binningup
A Binningup dawn service will be held at Binningup Country Club on Lakes Parade from 6am, followed by sausage sizzle.
Capel
Capel will hold a march at 10.30am before a service at the RSL Hall at 11am.
