Waking up at 3.30 am is not good for the body at the best of times, yet for some strange reason, I felt it was going to be a great day if I was able to capture the the moment and seize the day before the sun rose to illuminate everything on its journey across the heavens.

At 4.30 am I walked across the road to the Watsonia RSL with a warm cup of coffee to reduce the chill in the air and warm the cockles of my heart.

As I made my way across the car park dividing us, I observed the headlights of one vehicle being parked, while the RSL community bus rolling up with the driver sauntering into the RSL for a cup of coffee.

The first thing I noticed is the large TAB sign on the wall of the RSL and I frowned that it has come to this. A sign of the times when corporations and interested players influence RSL board decisions. I wondered at whose expense, the veterans, service individuals, serving members or the public.

Whatever the case may be, it is what it is and we mere mortals can but keep our thoughts to ourselves as life continues changing at a pace that at times is beyond our comprehension.

The roar of a motorcycle was heard at the roundabout, a vehicle drove passed stopping momentarily at the pedestrian sign

I observe solitary figures approaching the RSL entrance.

Adrian Hook the radio technician arrived on the scene to set up the communications for the day service. The roar of the motorcycle continued in the distance, skirting the roundabout about 40 metres to the East, followed by the odd vehicle making its way towards the South along Watsonia Road.

Dennis Gambrellis the Vice President of 96.5 Inner FM operating out of the Warringal Shopping Centre at Heidelberg. (Dennis’s ancestors came from the island of Kos in Greece) arrives.

George Krupinsk, a presenter of the same radio station has come along to observe the proceedings. George is an ex National Serviceman Officer who served with 5/7 RAR.

I chatted with George for a while, sharing information from a bygone era and it was interesting to note that as we age how one mellows with time.

Throngs of people begin to arrive many with their wives and partners sporting their medals proudly on their chest. Three buses pulled up and parked in front of the RSL lights flashing, idling their engines in preparation to advance to their destination.

A young lass in uniform arrives with her mother who is a member of 39 Army Cadet Unit. At 4.55 am the buses begin to move off, one after the other.

It is a bit nippy but not unpleasant. Scarves, overcoats and warm clothing keeps the cold of dawn at bay. I am wearing my Spartan jacket over my warm t-shirt with a collar. This keeps the warmth in and the cold at bay.

The radio station plays magnificent background music which I am advised is ADAGIO in G minor, followed by an introduction by the President of the Heidelberg radio station. A wonderful introduction to those beginning to arrive. After a while music began to be beamed from a huge screen located at one end of the RSL.

After taking brief notes, I bade farewell to George and returned home for a quick bite to eat and to the warmth of home. Our home is a mere 75 paces directly across from the RSL, giving us prime view of the ANZAC Day proceedings.

At 5.59 am I returned back to the RSL for the dawn service. At 6.00 am the bag pipes began to play, followed by the President opening the ANZAC Day service for 2023. His introduction was followed by the Lords prayer. Colin Brooks the local State member and Minister was next cab up the rank, reminding all those present of Gallipoli and of what the nation suffered as a result of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice

Colin Brooks went through the various generations and described each generations service to the nation and that of the world, describing the various conflicts. Another presenter gave an interesting outline of all the conflicts that Australia had been involved in and thanked veterans who had served.

The President talked of Kemal Ataturk, who is alleged to have spoken the immortal words dedicated to those who fought at Gallipoli. Unfortunately, history has demonstrated that those fine and passionate words were not uttered by Kemal Ataturk but have somehow been constantly repeated over the years and became part of the ANZAC legend.

In the East, the colours of Dawn were slowly rising from its slumber, navigating across the roof tops in the distance, illuminating everything in its path. One could see the crowd of people that had come to the service and it was a wonder to behold.

In my 30 years of coming to the Watsonia RSL for the Dawn service, this was by far the most numerous that I had ever witnessed. I looked at all the faces trying to to identify someone from my youth, but sad to say, there was no one that I knew.

The president spoke again and there was utter silence. It was the ODE being read out, followed by the last post and a minutes silence. During this brief silence, my thoughts went to mates in hospital, those ill, those far from home, those alone, those at other RSL gatherings, of families who had lost loved ones and of mates since gone onto another field of play.

My thoughts were interrupted by a bugle sound that signalled for the time honoured one minutes silence. Thoughts of goodwill for all mankind and of mates long gone meandered through my brain.

The silence was pure gold and looking up into the East, I could see that the suns rays began to strike the heavens and the arrival of a new day. The next bugle call brought the silence to an end and the beginning of another year of hope. At the end the New Zealand and Australian national anthems were played, a fitting tribute to the fallen.

As the suns rays began to reach us I saw that the crowd had swelled considerably over the space of some thirty minutes. They had come from all over the place in their dribs and drabs; the young, the old, families and veterans congregating in the car park and using it as a parade ground for visitors and passer by alike.

On reflection, I would say that over 1500 people had arrived to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn service followed by Gunfire Breakfast at a small cost of $5 per head. A far cry from the Gunfire breakfasts held by that indomitable and much loved character of Bruce Ruxton. Those were great days, a time when many from all walks of life would stroll to his office to attend the Gunfire breakfast.

I must add that I was chuffed to be a part of Todays Dawn Service and very pleased to see so many people of all ages attending. The ANZAC spirit is alive and well.

As always, be of good cheer, never given up and always fight the good fight.