Now in its third year post-COVID, the local ANZAC Day Dawn Service will again be held at the Quarry Reserve in Ferntree Gully, with even more community involvement this year.

Co-ordinated jointly between the Ferntree Gully CFA and the Rotary Club of Ferntree Gully, the service, commencing at 6am, will have Venturers from the Knox Scouts and students from St Joseph’s College volunteering at the event.

Captain Seamus Smith from the Ferntree Gully brigade said he was in awe of the support the event is now receiving from the wider community. ‘The St Joseph’s choir, singing the National Anthem as dawn
breaks over the cliffs is just magical and last year the number of local residents attending the service was around 1000’.

Christine Anderson from Rotary said the Scouts will have an important role on the day. ‘We are extremely grateful for the support of our local scouts who will light the way and assist attendees safely down the path to the event’, she said.

Funding has also been gifted this year from the Community Bank Ferntree Gully and Ray White Real Estate, for new and improved sound equipment.

‘This is an amazing community effort coming together to respect and acknowledge our service men and women who have defended our country in many conflicts over the decades’, Seamus said.

Christine values the local content that the service brings. ‘With the help of the Knox Historical Society, we are able to acknowledge by name, the lives of those from Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully who made the ultimate sacrifice for us’, she said. ‘This is a very moving and personal part of the service’.

Parking is available at the Village Shopping Centre and Upper Ferntree Gully Railway station, both within easy walking distance to the event. For those wishing to lay a wreath, please contact Christine on 0458 366 543

Please support our local traders who are open for breakfast this Anzac Day:

• 121 Station Street Cafe
• Alpine Street Bakery
• Ferngully Bakery
• Rapture Cafe
• Station Street Grocer