2025 ANZAC Day Dawn Service
On Friday, 25 April 2025, the Walkerville RSL held an ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Walkerville Memorial Gardens, supported by Town of Walkerville.
There were a number of special attendees at the event, including:
- Lucy Hood MP, State Member for Adelaide;
- The Hon. Jing Lee, Member of the Legislative Council;
- Julian Amato, representing the State Leader of the Opposition;
- Norm Coleman OAM, Walkerville RSL President;
- Richard Trotman-Dickenson AM, Walkerville RSL Vice President;
- Brigadier Tim Hanna AM, Senior District Military Officer;
- Melissa Jones, Town of Walkerville Mayor;
- Town of Walkerville Council Members: Steven Rypp, Liz Trotter and John Zeppel;
- Dr Andrew Johnson, Town of Walkerville CEO; and
- teachers and students from local schools, including Wilderness, St Andrew’s School, Walkerville Primary School, Vale Park Primary School and St Monica’s Parish School.
Mayor Melissa Jones gave a speech during the ceremony, acknowledging the veterans and military personnel in attendance, as well as giving thanks and remembrance to past servicemen and women.
She also acknowledged Walkerville resident, Mrs Dianne Carrol, who served in the Land Army during the Second World War. Dianne, now 90 years old, attended the ceremony wearing her Land Army coat and proudly displaying her late husband Keith’s Korean War service medals.
Mayor Jones recounted the remarkable story of Medindie local, Lieutenant Arthur Reginald Evans DSC, who played a critical role in saving an American patrol torpedo boat, captained by none other than John F. Kennedy.
His actions, though hidden from public recognition for many years, were instrumental in saving the life of the man who would later become the President of the United States of America.
The event was well attended by the local community.
Following the event, a gunfire breakfast was held outside the Walkerville RSL Clubrooms on Walkerville Terrace. The breakfast was catered by the Rotary Club of Walkerville, with over 300 meals served to community members.
