Thousands flock to Kings Park Dawn Service

THOUSANDS of people poured into Kings Park to pay their respects to our ANZACs at this morning’s Dawn Service in Perth.

There was an air of reverence as people from all walks of life – including many current and former ADF personnel – gathered in front of the State War Memorial prior to the Service.

It was lights out and silence at 5.50am before the Service started at 6am.

WA Governor Kim Beazley led the wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a keynote speech by Premier Mark McGowan, a former legal officer with the Royal Australian Navy, who paid tribute to the sacrifice of generations who served in the Australian armed forces.

“Our attendance here is a demonstration of our gratitude, appreciation and respect for those generations,” said Premier McGowan. “For those who were lost, for those who returned but were never the same, and for those who suffered the pain of living the rest of their lives without their son, husband or father. It is our undying obligation.”

Also hugely popular was the post-Service haka and corroboree paying tribute to the ANZACs, performed by the Haka For Life and Corroboree For Life groups.

Hundreds of people watched the performance, and at the end dozens of members of the public joined in.