By Corey Everitt
It was another busy Anzac Day for Pakenham RSL running another packed dawn service and gunfire breakfast, as well as introducing the annual rugby masters game.
No matter the cold or the rain, Pakenham’s Dawn Service only seems to grow each year with hundreds gathered at sunrise to pay their respects.
Pakenham RSL president John Kenneth ran the proceedings this Anzac Day, fortunately the rain decided to briefly ease for the service.
Locals packed around the cenotaph, among them were Pakenham Scout Group, Pakenham Fire Brigade, Pakenham SES and many more groups.
Wreaths were laid as bagpipes echoed through John and Henry Street.
Among them was Girl Guides’ Sonya Boloski who laid a wreath for New Zealand RSL, Robin Thomas for Pakenham RSL, Gary Elliot for the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Ian Wake for Pakenham Rotary, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, Mayor Kowarzik and Cr Carol Ryan, School Captains from Pakenham Consolidated, Chairo School, Pakenham Secondary, John Henry Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School.
“Seems to get bigger every year,“ Pakenham RSL member Rob Rasmussen said.
“I think with all the conflicts in the world at the moment it seems to make it all the more relevant.“
The service was concluded with the national anthem and The Ode. After which attendees moved to the RSL hall for the gunfire breakfast.
The ceremonies weren’t over as the Anzac Day Rugby League game between the Australian and New Zealand Victorian Masters teams was hosted by Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club as Comely Banks Recreation Reserve.
Rasmussen as well as Mayor Kowarzik spoke to open the local All Blacks and Wallabies face-off for the E.J Swords Legacy Cup.
This was the fourth year of the Anzac Day game, this year the event included two matches by adding a touch game alongside the Masters game.
New Zealand took home the trophies for both games. They beat the Australian Masters 16-6 and took the touch game 7-4. Jason Kawai was awarded the Pakenham RSL medal for best on field.
With this victory, New Zealand have won three out of the four Anzac Day games.
