WA: More than 30,000 people attend dawn service in Kings Park

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2004
WA: More than 30,000 people attend dawn service in Kings Park

By Alison Miller

PERTH, April 25 AAP - More than 30,000 people, including children in pyjamas, attended
the Anzac Day dawn service in Perth today.

In clear conditions, people massed in Kings Park overlooking the Swan River and Perth
city to remember more than 60,000 Australian and New Zealand troops who have died in war
since the landing on Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, in 1915.

Royal Australian Air Force group captain Peter Capwell told the crowd world events
meant the Anzac spirit was now, more than ever before, something Australia should never
forget.

"World events in September 11, including Bali and more recently in Spain, clearly demonstrate
that terrorism threatens us all," he said.

"We will eventually win the war on terror but it will be a difficult struggle. (But)
in dealing with this challenge, we will do well to draw on the Anzac Spirit and approach
it with the same courage, tenacity and selflessness that was shown in Gallipoli on this
morning 89 years ago."

RSL WA branch secretary Shane Seers said it was pleasing to see so many people, from
all ages and walks of life, at the ceremony.

"I would say numbers are slightly up on last year and it is becoming more popular,"

Mr Seers said.

He attributed the increase to factors including Australia's deployment of troops overseas
to places such as East Timor but said he was also impressed by the number of younger people
attending the ceremony.

"When I walked down here this morning at 3.30am, I would have walked past at least
60 or 70 young people sitting in various spots along the way who made their way down here
(to the State War Memorial)," Mr Seers said.

"I know where they have come from, they have come from the pubs but they have made
an effort to come here and wait and be part of the dawn service and that's just great,"

he said.

Reveller Paul Bradley turned up to the dawn service still slightly intoxicated after
a big night out.

"I could have gone straight home, because I did have a big night, but it was important
for me to be here, I try to come every year," Mr Bradley said.

"If it wasn't for the bravery of the thousands who went away and fought to keep Australia
safe, then I would not have even had the opportunity to go out last night and live the
fantastic life I do.

"Going to the service is a way of remembering and paying tribute to them and also a
way of thanking them for what they did."

Natalie Thompson, due to give birth to her third child in seven weeks, said the dawn
service had now become an annual tradition for her two boys and partner Jeff.

"This is the only second time I have been to a dawn service but anyone will tell you,
once you have been to one and felt the emotion, you will be sure never to miss one and
to return year after year," Ms Thompson said.

"Next year, we will bring the baby because it is nice for the children to grow up and
learn about the spirit of Anzac Day and they really enjoy being part of it." she said.

AAP ajm/cat/br

KEYWORD: ANZAC SERVICE WA

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