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Bendigo’s Anzac Day commemorations provided opportunities for families to get together and pay their respects. 

Preparing for the march just before 10.30am were Milija Bulatovic, his 21-month-old son Gabrijel and wife Valentina. 

Mr Bulatovic was a reservist soldier from 1998 to 2000.

He then served in in the 1^st Combat Engineer Regiment of the Regular Army until 2004.

Mr Bulatovic’s military career saw him based in the Northern Territory and working in the Solomon Islands. 

These days, he lives in Bendigo and works as a non-destructive testing technician in Melbourne.

Mr Bulatovic had his son in one arm and his military medals on the opposite lapel of his jacket when he was approached by The Bendigo Advertiser. 

Gabrijel squealed with delight and shouted out “noise” as the band started to play.

Mr Bulatovic said his son had been marching whenever he heard music. 

“He’s a natural,” he said.

A little further down the procession were Colleen Ballard and Wayne Thompson with Charlotte and Maddison Ward. 

Both girls were waving Australian flags. 

Maddison, 7, was also wearing a World War II medal that belonged to Mrs Ballard’s mother.

Mrs Ballard did not need to say she came from a military family – it was evident from the medals on her jacket.

Several belonged to her late partner John Marks, another to an uncle.

Mrs Ballard has children serving Australia overseas.

Mr Thompson was also wearing medals – those of his mother and father, from World War II. 

As the procession approached the military museum, The Bendigo Advertiser spotted a flash of bright pink contrasting against a dark suit.

Able Seaman Marine Technician Bryce Leslie was cradling Abigael, 1, who was enjoying playing with his facial hair. 

Nearby were his partner Belinda Kelso and son Dexter, 3. 

The couple met at work in the Royal Australian Navy.

Ms Kelso was a petty officer medic and discharged in 2013. 

All four members of the family were wearing glittering medals and enjoying the opportunity to reflect. 

Ms Kelso said it was important the children knew what their parents had worked for. 

“It’s not just for us, it’s for the people that fought and died,” Able Seaman Leslie said. 

It was gaining an appreciation for that sacrifice that motivated Alen Johny, 10, to start attending Anzac Day services.

The St Peter’s Primary School student said he had learned about the day’s significance at school and wanted to pay his respects. 

This was the second time he and parents Lily and Mattathil Johny had attended an Anzac Day service.

The family moved from Kerala, India to Australia and settled in Bendigo.

Near the Johny family was the Shaw family.

The Bendigo Advertiser approached them out of interest in their attire. 

Leann Shaw’s son Stephen was wearing what a military hat, inspired by his father.

“His father was a U.S. Marine,” Ms Shaw said.

She said all five of the children had an interest in the family’s military history and a great respect for the sacrifices service men and women had made.

They were standing less than 100 metres from a family whose name is in the history books.

Sergeant John Henry ‘Jack’ Lockett was, for a time, believed to be Australia’s oldest man and war veteran. 

He died aged 111 years in Bendigo in May 2002.

This year, like every other year, his son Kevin remembered him. 

“One hundred years ago he would have been training at Bendigo racecourse,” Mr Lockett said. 

Sgt Lockett fought in France on the Western Front. 

“He had about four years over there,” Mr Lockett said. 

As he stood in front of the military museum, the 88-year-old son was pensive. 

“I think of the fellows that never came home and how lucky we are,” Mr Lockett said.

He said his father never spoke much about the war – “more the fun things they got up to.”