Hello Reader,

It’s Marjie here,

With ANZAC Day coming up this Saturday, I’ve found myself reflecting a little more deeply this year.

My father served as a navigator in the RAAF during the war, and later in life — in his late 70s — he wrote a poem after visiting Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea. It was the only poem he ever wrote, and it’s stayed with me ever since.

More recently, someone from my camera club used AI to recreate his voice and read the poem aloud. Hearing those words spoken in a voice so close to his was quite moving — a reminder of how memory and storytelling continue to evolve, even as we honour the past. I'd love to share this with you. Please view or listen to his poem on my website here.

ANZAC Day means different things to all of us. For some, it’s deeply personal. For others, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, or simply acknowledge.

If you’re thinking about how you might mark the day this year, we’ve put together a simple guide to commemorating ANZAC Day across Melbourne.

However you choose to spend the day, I hope it brings a moment of connection — to history, to family, or to the stories that shape us.

Warmly,
Marjie

Let's Explore Melbourne and Beyond

​Taste France in Melbourne​ Step into a cosy laneway spot serving authentic French crêpes and gluten-free galettes made fresh to order. Dine out with our tips

“ Good variety to please many, friendly service, cosy seating inside and some outside seating. ​ One feels like you’re in someone’s home kitchen and they’re personally cooking for you, yes please! ​ ​Read more here.​ — Dimi

​Meaningful Ways to Mark ANZAC Day​ Pause and reflect with dawn services, moving marches and quiet moments of remembrance across Melbourne. Plan your day

​Stay Steps from Melbourne Airport​ Comfortable rooms, meal discounts or simply somewhere to rest between flights. Here's how an airport hotel can remove much of that airport travel stress. Read Nadine's hotel review

PARTNER CONTENT ​Flinders Lane Stories​ Think you know Flinders Lane? This small-group walking tour reveals its hidden past, colourful characters and laneway culture—with a few surprises along the way. Includes a midway café stop with coffee or tea. Explore the tour

​Celebrate Mother’s Day in Melbourne​ Find inspiration for a memorable day with gift ideas, relaxing high teas and special outings across Melbourne. Book in a real treat

PARTNER CONTENT ​A Fresh Way to Hear The Four Seasons​ Experience the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, featuring violinist Sophie Rowell , and accompanied by acclaimed actress Helen Morse, as they perform both Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons sonnets and music. Running from 7–10 May 2026, Overgrown Paths is a luminous fusion of music and poetry. Save 10% with code MCOFAN10​ BOOK NOW

​Vivaldi, Reimagined​ After hearing The Four Seasons live, see it in a whole new light. This immersive show at the Immigration Museum surrounds you with music and stunning seasonal visuals. Opens 24 April. Discover the experience

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​Win Tickets to Mozart & the Bach Sons​ Enjoy a captivating morning of Mozart and Bach family masterpieces, performed by the talented ANAM Orchestra. Enter now to win a double pass to this uplifting concert at Melbourne Recital Centre on Monday 4th May. ENTER NOW

WHAT'S ON - Mark Your Calendars

• ​Morning Melodies: The 60 Four – A Tribute to the 60s (27 Apr 2026). Enjoy a nostalgic trip back in time with The 60 Four as they perform beloved hits from the 1960s at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Morning Melodies, celebrating the timeless sounds and harmonies that defined a decade.
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• ​Sorrento Writers Festival (23 - 26 Apr 2026). Audiences can look forward to a rich mix of fiction and non-fiction voices, bold ideas, lively conversations and inspiring performances across the four days.
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• ​Lyon Housemuseum Exhibitions – Kew (until 31 May 2026). Discover contemporary Australian art at Lyon Housemuseum’s current exhibition featuring Ry David Bradley’s EPOCH and Christopher Langton’s BLOW, showcasing large-scale paintings, kinetic works and sculptures within a unique space that blends gallery and residential living.​
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• ​Sing Along Spectacular (Fri 1 - Sun 3 May, 2026). Fancy a good old-fashioned sing-along? This lively music hall show takes you back to the beginning of the 20th century, to the city of London, and the players of the Music Hall Royale! Save 10% using discount code SENIORSINMELB
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• ​Lightscape – Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (12 Jun – 2 Aug 2026). Step into a magical winter night trail where the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne transforms into an illuminated wonderland of glowing installations, music and immersive art, with a stunning after-dark journey through light, colour and nature.
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• ​Italian Serenatas – Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (18 – 21 Jun 2026). This captivating Baroque concert experience features Italian baritone Renato Dolcini alongside the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, blending music and drama in a rich program of works by composers such as Vivaldi and Corelli. Receive our exclusive 20% discount on A & B reserve seats using code SENIORSMELB20

​seniorsinmelbourne.com.au​

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