First time youth vigil to mark Anzac Day eve

By Murray Silby

Apr 23, 2023

**Honour guard:** Army and air force cadets and emergency services youth will stand guard in a vigil at the Shepparton cenotaph on Anzac Day eve.

For the first time in Shepparton, on the eve of Anzac Day, youth will provide a vigil at the cenotaph in honour of those who have served.

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The vigil concept borrows from the military tradition of “holding ground”, whereby a reconnaissance patrol, or advance party, would identify and occupy a strategic position and hold it in preparation for the arrival of the main force.

The strategy would often involve an all-night vigil by rostered pickets, soldiers keeping watch, to ensure the site was secured from threats.

Leigh Johnson holds a community engagement role with Victoria Police and works with youth leadership programs.

He’s also a former army reservist and has organised the vigil for the evening of Monday, April 24, after suggesting the concept to the Shepparton RSL.

“We look forward to giving it a trial and a pilot to put it forward and give young people the opportunity to be front and centre, to show their respect through the holding the ground ceremony, which is what our vigil is all about,” he said.

Youth from army and air force cadets, the CFA, St John’s Ambulance, Venturers and Search and Rescue will be involved in the vigil.

“I’m so thankful to the RSL,” Mr Johnson said.

“It’s never been done before (in Shepparton) and there’s great intent and we look forward to an absolutely wonderful way of respecting our servicemen and women.”

Anzac youth vigil

The vigil at Shepparton cenotaph in Welsford St will start at 6pm with a “holding ground” ceremony and then, in shifts of 15 minutes, local youths will stand guard. This is likely to be until around 9.30pm.