Wollongong’s youth keep the spirit of ANZAC alive

While it's appropriate most of the focus on ANZAC Day is on our oldest surviving diggers, the RSL says it's heartening that each year more young people observe the day, to honour the service, courage and sacrifice of Australians in war.

The president of Wollongong RSL Sub-branch, John Sperring, served in the Australian Army, Air Force and Navy. He recalled how as a child, after attending the Dawn Service with his family, he travelled by train to Sydney with his father to attend the ANZAC Day march.

John said "we're very chuffed" to see the growing interest in, and respect for ANZAC Day amongst young Australians.

"It's great to see kids develop respect for our veterans, and we instil that ethos in our next generation.”

Balgownie veteran 89-year-old Jim Milnes believes ANZAC Day "is getting better and better all the time. These days there are so many kids participating. It's magic."

The Wollongong ANZAC march drew huge crowds to the city centre, six-deep in some sections of Burelli Street and Church Street. Amongst them were hundreds of flag-waving children.

Iraq veteran Nick Reid, from Wollongong, proudly marched in the city with his nine-year-old daughter, Olive.

"We love it," Nick said. "Olive's been to every dawn service since she was born."

Jackson Lennard, 14, from Dapto, marched wearing his great-grandfather's medals. "I'm marching in his memory."

Parker and Preston Payne, from Fairy Meadow, cheered on the march from the footpath on Burelli Street, proudly wearing replica medals of their great-great-grandfather's.

"A lot of soldiers sacrificed their lives for this country," Parker said. "I like coming to see all the soldiers who served taking part in the march."

Parnia and Beau Beattie from Mangerton waved flags in memory of their great-great-grandfather, who served at Gallipoli with the Light Horse Brigade.

Also paying their respects and cheering on the march, Molly and Lucy Truebody from Lake Heights, and Logan and Noah McMichael from Cordeaux Heights.

A fleet of vintage cars headed the parade and Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown took the salute at the mid-point of the march.

There was a special cheer as members of the Vietnamese community joined the parade.

The march, which included hundreds of school children, concluded under sunny skies at the Wollongong Cenotaph.

"We must be doing something right because the crowds each year keep growing," said RSL president John Sperring.