RSL blames the police after shutting down its Anzac Day parade over ‘terrorism’ fears – but leaked emails show it was because not enough people would show up at the service
- Glenorie RSL published a community notice about dawn service cancellation
- The Sydney club said they could not hold their service due to safety concerns
- Club secretary Graham Bruce said the service lacked ‘support’ of the police
- NSW Police said they received email from Mr Bruce explaining cancellation
- Email shows Mr Bruce saying factional dispute was the reason for no service
A Returned and Services League club has been caught lying about why it cancelled its upcoming ANZAC Day dawn service.
The Glenorie RSL, in north-west Sydney, told members it had to cancel because police refused to authorise the service as it was vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
But in fact club secretary Graham Bruce cancelled because members had decided to hold a separate service at a memorial hall and having two would split the community.
The Glenorie RSL in north-west Sydney published a community notice (pictured) informing locals that its annual dawn service would not be held this year
The Glenorie RSL (pictured), in north-west Sydney, told members it had to cancel because police refused to authorise the service as it was vulnerable to a terrorist attack
The RSL published a community notice informing locals its annual service commemorating those who died fighting for Australia would not be held this year.
‘Over the last 99 years, the Glenorie and surrounding districts have honoured our fallen from all wars, with a memorial held at dawn on the 25th day of April, the time ANZAC troops began landing at Gallipoli,’ the notice attributed to club secretary Graham Bruce said.
The notice claimed the police had refused to authorise the dawn service because of ‘perceived safety issues’ and attendees being ‘exposed to vehicular weapons (as used by terrorists overseas)’.
‘We all agree that it would pose too great a risk to allow the service to proceed on April 25 without the active support of the police, traffic authorities and Hornsby and Hills Shire Councils,’ the notice said.
Despite Mr Bruce’s claims, New South Wales Police said they received an email from him on March 18 telling them the club would not be organising any events, 2GB reported.
‘The intent to hold [the service] at the RSL club fell through when a faction of the community decided to hold their own service at the Memorial Hall,’ Mr Bruce said in the email.
‘Holding two services would split the community, therefore the RSL sub-branch decided to cancel its support, endorsement and involvement to any dawn service this year.
Despite Mr Bruce’s claims, New South Wales Police said they received an email from him on March 18 telling them the club would not be organising any events. Pictured: A dawn service in Canberra in 2018
‘I sincerely hope that certain community members do not proceed as they planned.’
The email is signed off by Mr Bruce.
A NSW Police spokesman said the Glenorie RSL ‘cancelled the service and advised police they had done so’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Glenorie RSL for comment.