Shepparton RSL honours Anzac heroes with tasty breakfast

By Caleb Francis

Apr 25, 2023

Volunteers: The faces behind the gunfire breakfast. Photo by Megan Fisher

The Shepparton RSL sub-branch has commemorated Anzac Day with a heart-warming breakfast that brought together the community in a beautiful display of gratitude and respect for the region’s heroes.

Happy chef: Shepparton RSL sub-branch vice-president and appeals manager Bruce Davis at the Anzac Day gunfire breakfast. Photo by Caleb Francis

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Sub-branch vice-president and appeals manager Bruce Davis started his day at 4.30am to prepare for the event.

He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Kiwanis Club of Shepparton, the Kiwanis Sunrisers, the Lions Club of Shepparton and the Rotary Club of Shepparton South for their tireless efforts in making the breakfast a success.

“I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mr Davis said.

“We worked together as a great team, and I thank you for all your efforts. We couldn’t have done it without the service clubs.”

Big crowd: Hundreds of people gathered at the Shepparton RSL’s gunfire breakfast on Anzac Day. Photo by Megan Fisher

The gunfire breakfast saw more than 600 egg and bacon rolls sold.

“As you can imagine, hundreds of egg and bacon rolls mean a lot of dishes,” Mr Davis said.

However, the volunteers did not waver in their commitment to serve and honour our heroes, demonstrating the community’s strong spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie.

Mr Davis, a former sergeant kitchen manager, also invited the community to come to the RSL, have a few drinks and mingle with Australian Defence Force personnel.

Veterans: Peter Martin and Mark Stephens at the Anzac Day gunfire breakfast held at the Shepparton RSL sub-branch. Photo by Megan Fisher

The breakfast allowed veterans such as Mark Stephens and Peter Martin to share their stories.

Mr Stephens served as a regimental sergeant major, participating in peacekeeping operations during his time in the Australian Defence Force, earning recognition through the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the 8-7 Royal Victorian Regiment.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin, who retired as a captain, had applied with 35 colleagues to serve in the Vietnam War at the age of 23.

However, due to hearing loss from their time as gunnery instructors, only a select few were accepted.

“Though I never saw active service and a few that I helped train did, it was through my training that I helped a number of fellow travellers in Iraq in 1967 when held at gunpoint, and assisted with the 1974 floods,” Mr Martin said.

“I am grateful to those who patiently helped me along that pathway.”

The breakfast was a touching reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of soldiers such as Mr Stephens and Mr Martin.

It was also a testament to the power of community and the importance of coming together in times of need.

As we continue to commemorate Anzac Day, let us also remember the people behind the scenes who make these events possible.