Post by Ports Victoria

Tomorrow, as Australia pauses to honour all those who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, Ports Victoria joins in remembrance. Station Pier holds a special place in that story. Originally known as Railway Pier, it has been part of the Anzac journey since 1889, when the first troops departed Melbourne aboard the Medic bound for the Boer War. From South Africa, Australian service personnel went on to serve in World War I. Between 17 and 21 October 1914, 16 ships left Port Melbourne carrying troops, horses and supplies. Of the 330,000 Australians sent overseas, almost 60,000 never came home. When war broke out again in 1939, tens of thousands more departed from the same pier. And when peace finally came, Railway Pier was also where tears of joy flowed as those who served returned home. Lest We Forget.