Acall is being made to the Port MacDonnell community to rally its troops and assist in preparing for one of Australia’s most important national occasions.

The actions of Australian and New Zealand forces during the World Wars left a powerful legacy, a legacy community members Richard Sage and Reverend Dr Murray Earl do not want to see forgotten.

Together they are calling on the wider community to join them in ensuring the Anzac Day dawn service and breakfast continues at the beachside town in 2022.

The long-term future of the event is under a cloud since the closure of the town’s Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch last year.

Falling volunteer numbers due to ageing and ill-health forced the committee to close.

“They are an ageing group with ongoing health issues and unable to continue is this capacity,” Reverend Earl said.

The community is being asked to take on the organisational responsibilities of the dawn service to ensure it continues.

There could be a misconception that Anzac Day ceremonies are the responsibility of RSL’s, however Reverend Earl said such events did not “belong” to the RSL.

“They have done it in the past, now it’s a new era,” he said.

“The RSL has closed and that’s a good thing. It shows there has not been so many wars since RSL’s were formed and not as many veterans. In that aspect it is good.

“We live now in a time of peace compared to previous generations.”

Reverend Earl said it was important to maintain the identity of Port MacDonnell.

“Does the Port MacDonnell community see this as important?” he asked.

“We need to keep the connection now to be able to have it in the future. The interesting thing will be if in the future that connection is continued and will stay strong.

“We want to show the dawn service is an event to hold on to.

“Part of Anzac Day is commemoration and part of it is education.

“The commemoration of those who have gone before, who have enabled this peace. Educating a new generation of what they went through and the peace we benefit from now.”

Reverend Earl said there was a shift in the attendance of ceremonies during his time as a church minister.

“When I was a young minister 40 years ago dawn services were very small. A minister, some war veterans, that was it,” he said.

“With the 100 year anniversary last year there was a surge. That had sponsored a revival of dawn services.”

Despite the surge in attendance at services, the same could not be said for the committees that run them, such as Port MacDonnell.

In 2019 the Port MacDonnell RSL first indicated intentions of folding.

A few members remaining at the time did not want to continue in their role, however the committee held on until the end of 2020, though this event was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After many years of service, the remaining seven members stepped aside last year.

Meanwhile, Mr Sage is hopeful the broader community will get on board for this year’s event.

“It’s sad to see it has got to the stage where they (RSL) cannot continue. I think Port MacDonnell as a community still wants to show its respect,” he said.

Mr Sage said the invitation was open to all community members.

Some ideas to be determined include location of the breakfast and involvement from members of the Mount Gambier RSL.

“Breakfast was usually held at the community hall, but is being used,” Mr Sage said.

Another venue is needed, with Mr Sage earmarking the senior citizens building or Port MacDonnell Football Club as possibilities.

“We would also like to contact the Mount Gambier RSL about getting the catafalque party again this year. Hopefully, depending on how they are managing with COVID,” he said.

Another aspect of the event will be the impact of COVID.

Though Anzac Day is three months away, Mr Sage said planning would take into consideration social distancing requirements.

“We will start planning, keeping in mind it will be an open-air event with plenty of room to social distance,” he said.

In an effort to keep Anzac Day in Port MacDonnell, Grant District Council has agreed to provide resources for a working group to coordinate the dawn service.

Up to $500 has been pledged toward the breakfast that traditionally follows the dawn service and road closure requirements will also be provided.

Mr Sage also reflected on the emotionally moving aspects of the service.

“The dawn service is unbelievable, waiting for the sun to come up over the sea is very moving,” he said.

The event traditionally has been well attended by the community, with attendance numbers reaching the hundreds.

Mr Sage said although the sub-branch has officially folded, he would like former members to be involved in guiding this year’s working group.

Some former members have continued to be a part of the RSL circle having transferred their membership to Mount Gambier.

A working group meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 2 at the Victoria Hotel starting at 6pm.