Thousands gather for Anzac service, two-up, MCG clash

Tens of thousands of Victorians have taken part in Anzac Day services across the state to pay tribute to those who have served and paid the ultimate price for the nation.

One of the biggest was in Melbourne where 40,000 people braved a chilly Tuesday dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance to mark the 108th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in WWI.

RSL Victoria said crowd numbers were well up from the capped and fenced gatherings held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The dawn service is always a moving event and this year truly felt like Victoria recaptured the magic of the service at its fullest and most emotive," RSL Victoria President Robert Webster said.

Many more attended local services and events in the suburbs. 

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War - often referred to as the forgotten war - where over 17,000 Australians served and more than 300 were killed.

Lieutenant-Governor James Angus said Korean War veterans had been largely overlooked and the service was an opportunity to make amends.

"Every Anzac Day is both historic and tragic," he told the crowd in Melbourne.

"Historic because each year marks the anniversary of another war, another battle. Tragic because of the terrible price paid by young Australians ... to create our history.

"In other words, their sacrifice is our inheritance."

Former lance corporal Arthur Davis, a member of the army's transport division until 1985, has attended the dawn service for 38 years.

"I do it for my family," he said pointing to the medals of his great-grandfather and grandfather pinned to his chest as he held an Australian flag.

Jessy Kirley, who was 21 when he started serving in East Timor, has recently discovered his family's rich military history.

"I've been learning about my great uncle Alan who flew Beaufighter jets over New Guinea against the Japanese in World War II and my great, great uncle who was in the first light horse brigade at the Battle of Beersheba," he told AAP.

"I'm very thankful for what they've done. It's a solemn day but I'm really happy to see so many people coming out to this, particularly younger people."

Premier Daniel Andrews, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton and federal minister Bill Shorten and opposition deputy upper house leader Matt Bach all attended the service.

Following the dawn service, observers placed poppies at the top of the shrine and many made their way down the hill to St Kilda Road outside the Arts Centre to watch the Anzac Day march. 

Others made their way to local RSLs and pubs to play two-up. 

The traditional Australian coin gambling game is only legal in Melbourne on Anzac Day and has cemented itself in the Victorian psyche as another way to commemorate the day.

More were expected to continue on to the MCG to watch the traditional Anzac Day clash between foes Collingwood and Essendon. 

Just over 100,000 can fit inside the city's most famous sporting arena and a crowd of more than 90,000 was expected.

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