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Bendigo District RSL president Cliff Richards has described today’s Anzac Day turn out as the biggest in the city’s recent history. 

“It’s the biggest we’ve had in a long, long time,” Mr Richards said.

“It’s certainly far bigger than last year, so we’re talking 5000 at a minimum and at the dawn service we estimated more than 15,000 – so the turnout has just been fantastic.”

“The crowd is a testament to the fact that the Anzac spirit is really in all Bendigonians.

“We’ve come out today to pay our respects to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and our way of life.”

The crowd lined Pall Mall cheering on a procession of military and civilian groups as they marched from the Bendigo TAFE to the Soldiers Memorial Hall. 

Lieutenant Colonel Damian Eaton said the Anzac spirit should not be confined to the military, or the history books – but aspired towards by all Australians.

“The Anzac spirit is not something that should only be associated with those in uniform – we see it today in those who serve the community, those who preform acts of bravery to help a stranger and those who go out of their way to support a mate,” he told the crowd.

“All Australians should aspire to emulate the values and principles of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice, for those characteristics represent the very fabric of our society and, more importantly, to ensure that we remember those who have gone before us, not just on this day, but everyday.

“Lest we forget.”

Mr Richards said the focus on young diggers would keep the Anzac flame alive for future generations. 

“Damian went through all of the historic conflicts very well but he also made a point of talking about our younger veterans fighting in present conflicts,” Mr Richards said.

“They demonstrate that the Anzac spirit lives on and, if we continue with services like this, it will live forever.” 

Mayor Rod Fyffe said Anzac commemorations had shifted over time to incorporate all Australians.

“People have really embraced Anzac Day and, as Damian said, today we see it as a celebration of certain qualities and values that remain strong in our community: courage, mateship, looking after one another,” Cr Fyffe said.

“Over recent years there has been a subtle, but very important shift towards involving younger people who are, after all, our future leaders.” 

Earlier Lieutenant Lt. Col. Eaton called on Australians to continue to support veterans returned from recent and current conflicts. 

“A new generation of Anzacs have followed the path of their predecessors during peace keeping missions in Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Cyprus and Iraq and, closer to home, in Bougainville, East Timor the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. 

“As we gather here this morning, men and women of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian public service – along with their New Zealand brothers and sisters –continue the proud Anzac tradition in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, Lebanon, the Golan Heights, the Sinai and South Sudan.

“Many veterans have returned, and will continue to return, from these recent conflicts with physical and psychological wounds that require ongoing care and support just as we have provided for veterans who suffered the horrors of war waged during the 20th century through institutions such as the Returned Services League and Legacy.”

“We must ensure that our younger veterans are not forgotten.”