COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN and the GREATER MEAO.

Last Sunday ,(October 11th) around 70 veterans and their families enjoyed brilliant weather as they participated in a Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Commemoration Service, hosted by Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL to acknowledge 25 years since the commencement of ADF Operations in Afghanistan and the greater MEAO. The service included representatives of all three services plus a family representative, acknowledging the important role of those back home in maintaining morale of deployed ADF personnel. There was also a 101-year-old WW2 veteran, and several Vietnam veterans in attendance. Volunteers from Queenscliff CFA Brigade served a BBQ after the service and live music added to the atmosphere, making it a great celebration of contemporary military service. Lest we forget.

COMMEMORATIVE EVENT RECOGNISING AUSTRALIA’S COMMITMENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST

Sunday 11th October – Cenotaph Ocean Grove Park – 12.30pm

(Service in Arabian Gulf, UAE, Iraq and Afghanistan)

VIETNAM VETERANS SERVICE 2026

ANZAC DAY 2026 – Barwon Heads

ANZAC DAY 2026 – Ocean Grove

ANZAC Day Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads 2025 Photos

Images from the Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day activities

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch Bowling Team

Winners are grinners.

The successful Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch team returned home from Echuca with the 2025 Duke of Edinburgh Shield.

ANZAC Day Services

OCEAN GROVE BARWON HEADS RSL Sub-Branch

ANZAC Day Services Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch will be conducting ANZAC Day commemoration services at the Cenotaph Ocean Grove and Cenotaph Barwon Heads.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

When:        25th April 2025 6.00am Assembly, Piper Call to Arms 6.15am.

Where:      The “Ocean Grove Park” Cenotaph, The Avenue, Ocean Grove.

                   Commemorative Dawn Service and wreath laying will be conducted by Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch. The Dawn Service will include a Piper and Bugler.

                   Tea & light “Gunfire Breakfast” will be provided at the old fire station building, corner of Hodgson St and The Avenue at the conclusion of the service, thanks once again to the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove.     

Barwon Heads ANZAC Day March and Service

Service:  9.00am 25th April, Barwon Heads Community Hall, Hitchcock Ave

March:      8.30am Assembly, Step off 8.45am sharp for Service 9.00am. The March participants  
                   are to form up at 8.30am on the corner of Hitchcock Ave and Bridge Road, Barwon    Heads.  
                   At 8.45am sharp the March will step off and proceed down Hitchcock Ave to the
                  Cenotaph at the Barwon Heads Community Hall. The March will be accompanied by the
                  Geelong RSL Pipes and Drums.

                   The service will be led by Mr. Tony Wheal OAM and will include a Catafalque Party from Alpha Company of the 8th/7th Battalion the Royal Victoria Regiment and the hymns led by the Barwon Heads Chorale. The laying of wreaths will be led by Tony Wheal along with Federal, State and Local Government representatives. All are then welcome to stay for light refreshments.

Ocean Grove ANZAC Day March and Service

Service:      10.00am 25th April at The Cenotaph, Ocean Grove Park, The Avenue

March:      9.30am Assembly, Step off 9.45am sharp for Service 10.00am.

The March participants are to form up at 9.30am in front of the Commonwealth Bank, in The Terrace, Ocean Grove. At 9.45am sharp the March will step off and proceed down The Terrace and turn right into Presidents Avenue, with then turn right into The Avenue to the Cenotaph. The March will be accompanied by the Geelong RSL Pipes and Drums.

                  The Service will be led by the President of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch Mr Phil Edwards BM CSC and will include a Catafalque Party from Alpha Company of the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, The Geelong Concert Band and the Coryule Choir.

The laying of wreaths will be led by the President along with Federal, State and Local Government representatives.

All are then welcome back to the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL at the Bowling Club, 18 The Terrace for refreshments.

Bellarine Veterans Group

Peter Turner  byg@oceangroversl.com.au 

Hi all, 10 veterans had a great tour to the Shrine of Remembrance yesterday.The presentation on the background & history of the Shrine on the outward ferry journey was an excellent precursor to the guided tour & helped to take our minds off the somewhat challenging seastate on the Bay.
The guided tour provided an interesting insight into the Shrine’s architecture, construction & function. It inspired all of us to return in to explore the Shrine’s galleries in more detail.On return to Docklands we had a well deserved late lunch & time to explore before the return ferry trip to Portarlington.The visit to the Shrine was a moving & poignant reminder of our military forebears & their service to Australia – an excellent lead-up to Anzac Day.
Lest we forget.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2024