WITH war still raging in Europe, the Dandenong community gathered at the town’s state primary school on 25 April 1916 to commemorate the first official Anzac Day.
According to a report in the Journal, “genial autumn sunshine“ shone on a large gathering of citizens who gathered to mark the “now historic Anzac Day, where the soldiers of the Commonwealth received their baptism of fire on the distant fatal shores of Gallipoli, where they won such imperishable fame, as constitutes a new epoch in the annals of the richly endowed land of the Southern Cross“.
The newspaper recorded the occasion as an “auspicious one“ and “all present realised the importance of the function as a factor in keeping green in the memory of the rising generation the prowess and devotion of their fellow countrymen in defending their hearths and homes and honor against a rapacious and inhuman foe“.
“The head teacher and his attendants had the children marshalled round the flag-pole in the school yard, and Mr Talbot, Rev Buntine, Mr E. P Walker and Cr. Pearson explained to the pupils the meaning of the celebration.
“They impressed upon the minds of the children the glorious deeds enacted by the Australian soldiers at the Peninsula – deeds which evoked world-wide admiration and proclaimed the Commonwealth to be a young and vigorous nation and a loyal auxiliary of the Mother country; ever willing to share her troubles and uphold the-dignity of the Grand Old Flag which has always waved in the van of civilisation and freedom for all-men.“
Among those present were returned soldiers Sergeant Harold Tulloch, who was formerly a printer at the Journal and Private A Newsome.
“Sergeant Tulloch, being called upon, gave a brief but graphic account of his many sensational experiences at the front, and he and his comrade received-a salvo of cheers from the appreciative assemblage. The children sang O God Our Help in Ages Past, and God Save Our Men.
“Dr Taylor snap shotted the gathering with the intention of sending copies to the soldiers away on active service and the saluting of the flag bought a memorable ceremony to an appropriate termination.“
The photograph was not printed in the Journal at the time and, sadly, it could not be found for this special commemorative edition.
