Anzacs to light up City Hall

“I wanted the City to do something really special to commemorate the Anzac centenary,” he said.

“This will be a one-of-a-kind event; a very moving tribute to our Anzac heroes.

“You really need to be there in person on the night to truly take it all in.“A whole ceremony has been planned which will include the arrival of two lighthorsemen carrying the Anzac centenary RSL flame, army, navy and air force
cadets marching in formation to City Hall, a formal military guard, a performance by the Salvation Army Band and the iconic Last Post bugle call.”“The event will culminate with an evocative lighting projection tribute – a series of historic stills and video footage of local servicemen synchronised to a soundtrack. The projections also include an animated sequence where City Hall is transformed into a sea of poppies.”

The projections were developed by local artist Matt Bonner with the assistance of Liz Bonner-Barnett and Simon Macaulay.

Geelong RSL president Andrew Hanns was proud to partner with the City for the historic event.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to work together and create a fitting tribute to the servicemen and women who left their homes and families for foreign shores 100 years ago, many of whom tragically never returned,” he said.Veteran Affairs portfolio holder Cr Stretch Kontelj said the council and the artist had worked closely with the Geelong RSL Sub-Branch to deliver the lighting projections.“The Geelong RSL Sub-Branch has been involved right from the outset and I’m really proud of the final product. It’s a very fitting and moving tribute to the ANZAC legacy.”

The lighting projection shows will run every night for two weeks between 6pm and midnight from Friday 17 April to Sunday 3 May.

The lighting projections have been made possible through the provision of archival material from the Australian Film and Sound Archive, Geelong Advertiser, Geelong Heritage Centre, Geelong RSL sub branch, National War Memorial, Osborne Park Association,  State Library of Victoria and the valuable support and contributions of many local Geelong residents.