CASEY Council will convene a meeting with Berwick RSL and the Rotary Club of Narre Warren to discuss the needs of the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service and the Gunfire breakfast.

River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith, a staunch supporter of the service and the breakfast, said the meeting was needed because of enormous turnouts at Casey Anzac Day services.

He said 200 people were turned away from the breakfast this year while others were accommodated around the seated guests.

He said the venue could not hold the numbers of people who wanted to attend the breakfast.

Breakfast convenor Ted Draude said Rotary served the breakfast free and had done so for 24 years.

Cr Smith commended the function, but said it had been overtaken by its own success.

“We need to discuss this with the Rotary club and with the Berwick RSL because the council provides the venue.

“We need to look at how we can handle the situation although, ultimately, it is in the hands of the RSL and Rotary.

“Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton, who is a Berwick RSL past president, said he did not know what the solution would be.

“Maybe we could provide just a bacon and egg sandwich so that everyone got something and was part of it.

“It was sad to see so many people turned away from the breakfast.

“I hope we can do something before the next Anzac Day service,” he said.

Club president Garry Denny said his board had already discussed the issue and would welcome discussion with the council.

“We are looking at options but one factor is that we never know how many people will attend. Attendance can depend a lot on the weather,” Mr Denny said.

“Whatever happens we must ensure that the diggers get a sit-down breakfast in the main hall.

“Perhaps we could then extend the breakfast to another section in a marquee in the carpark and broadcast the speeches out.

“We also have to consider the cost of what we do.

“But the underlying factor is that we still want to encourage people to attend the functions,” he said.

RSL vice-president Les Lucas said the council already supported the function but organisers would welcome more help.

“The best way to handle it is to be sure that the veterans get a seat in the main chamber and have a marquee outside for younger people.

“It has become obvious that we can’t fit everyone inside.

“We now have students taking a great interest in the Dawn Service and this should be encouraged,” he said.

Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson asked if consideration would be given to laying an Aboriginal wreath at the service.

Casey mayor Colin Butler said all organisations were invited to lay wreaths at Anzac Day services.