Uniting AgeWell clients were treated to a very special Anzac Day in Melbourne, thanks to a joint initiative between RSL Victoria, RACV Victoria and our Wishing Well program.
Nine clients from Geelong, Bendigo and Melbourne had the wonderful experience of leading the Anzac Day march to the Shrine of Remembrance in vehicles driven by RACV Victoria volunteers.
The silver service experience included overnight accommodation in the city and a dinner for those who travelled from outside Melbourne, and a place in the VIP marquee for the commemorative service.
Wishing Well Coordinator Simone Cosgriff said it was an honour to organise the wish and be part of such a meaningful event.
“It really was a very special day and it was so heart-warming to see the genuine and sincere thanks from the veterans and their families,” she said.
“They were beyond grateful for what they described as an exceptional and unique experience of a lifetime.”
Family members flew in from as far away as Sydney and Brisbane to share in the special day. They were eager to support their relatives, with many of them proudly wearing replica medals and one family bringing a wreath to place next to the Eternal Flame.
It was a particularly special day for Vietnam veteran Robert Filmer, who had never marched on Anzac Day before. Joined by his wife, Pam, Robert proudly wore a new suit and his medals for the occasion.
Robert and the other clients were cheered on by thousands of people who lined St Kilda road to pay their respects to the veterans.
“It was so special watching them wave to everyone as they drove along,” Simone said.
“There were people calling out ‘thank you’ and children holding up signs with messages of appreciation. Our clients were glowing with pride.”
Following the march, the Uniting AgeWell cohort joined 40 other veterans in the VIP marquee next to the Victorian Governor, Premier and other dignitaries, where they were ‘waited on’ all day.
The Anzac Day wish and those of other Uniting AgeWell clients through the Wishing Well program, are made possible through generous donations and funds raised at the Annual Uniting AgeWell Charity Golf Day.
Robert and Pam Filmer