Tuesday, 28 April, 2026
Tougher penalties for vandals
Major upgrades for sporting clubs
Lilydale theatre play firing on all cylinders
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Victoria Police members standing in tribute to the fallen. (549442)
The Lilydale war memorial bathed in light and covered in wreaths. (Mikayla van Loon: 549210)
Honouring heroes Anzac Day this year saw large turnouts at services held across townships in the outer east, marking a testament to the spirit of Australia’s determined diggers who fought all those years ago. As dawn broke across Lilydale, the cenotaph was surrounded by thousands of community members who gathered to pay their respects to servicemen and women of decades gone by. “We’re here to acknowledge the sacrifices of the original Anzacs in 1915. This includes all the ADF people since World War One, who have patriotically served our country,” Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson said in his opening address.
Down at Hookey Park in Mooroolbark, a poignant focus was placed on the 75th anniversary of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps and the evolving role of women in the nation’s defence. The service, attended by hundreds, served as a powerful reminder that the Anzac legacy is not held by men alone. “This memorial is a tribute to the sacrifices made by Australian women and nurses under the most difficult circumstances,” Cr Higgins said, drawing attention to the new Nurses Memorial Garden at Montrose. Montrose’s town square was filled with locals as they remembered and commemorated the An-
solemnly as they reflected on the sacrifice of the diggers. 2026 also marked 75 years since the inception of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC) and National Service, including Mt Evelyn RSL’s own treasurer Chris Thiele, as RSL president Matt Crymble acknowledged in the opening of the service. “Today we pause and pay respect to our servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation, further, we acknowledge and respect all those who have served our nation in defense, both in war and in peace,” Mr Crymble said.
zacs who fought for a better tomorrow - one that we now live today. The 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, which would later become a day of respect and reflection known as Anzac Day, was told through the words of St Richard’s Primary School students Alyssa and Mason. “Anzac Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a day that carries deep meaning for Australians and New Zealanders. It is a day when we pause to reflect on the courage, sacrifice and mateship shown by those who came before us,” Mason said. In Mt Evelyn, many made their way to the memorial park in the dark, where people stood
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