Anzac Day Services across the Gold Coast
Tens of thousands have gathered Gold Coast wide to pay respects to Anzacs - and were inspired at Currumbin to ‘make something’ from the sacrifice. Relive the services citywide and see VIDEO
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thousands of people are gathering together across the Gold Coast to pay their respects to the Anzacs.
Here is the rolling coverage from across the city
FULL LIST OF ANZAC DAY SERVICES ACROSS THE GOLD COAST
Currumbin Dawn Service - ‘Anzacs fought and died for you’
Gold Coasters have been urged to act as living memorials to the service of veterans past and present in a moving tribute to the Anzac legend.
More than 20,000 people braved windy and damp conditions to commemorate Anzac Day at the Gold Coast’s biggest dawn service.
Currumbin’s Elephant Rock - which has become one of the nation’s main focal points come the Anzac sunrise - was bathed poppy red in the pre-dawn darkness to mark the 108th anniversary of Anzac forces landing at Gallipoli in World War I.
Themes of mateship, loyalty, courage and sacrifice were at the foreground of the ceremony, which ran for more than an hour as the sun rose above the beach.
Keynote speaker Major-General Stephen Day said it was important for all Gold Coasters to live the ideals of the Anzacs daily to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain.
“Those original Anzacs, fought, suffered, endured and died for something,” he said.
“That thing was you. It was us, the people of Australia and they gave freely of themselves so that their families, mates and their mates’ families could live in a land that was free and fair.
“We should make something of that and what we make of our today is up to us because we inherit the traditions of every battle which Australians have proven themselves – selfless, courage, endurance and humour.
“We can use them as examples, they can inspire us but from here on, it’s what we do that counts.”
Major-General Day has served in the armed forces for more than 40 years and said it was important to remember those who were lost and those who still serve.
“In every town and city across this big land of ours, there are memorials and monuments that matter but there is another memorial which is just as important – us and how we live our lives,” he said.
“I like to think that all those who laid down their lives for us are able to look down on us and say they did not die in vain.”
The veterans parade, led by pipers and drummers, arrived at the rock at 4.40am as hundreds of veterans and loved ones marched into the ceremonial parade ground at Currumbin Vikings SLSC with medals pinned to their chest.
Veteran Peter Thorpe read the honour roll, reciting the names of veterans who had died in the past year.
Among those memorialised was late World War II veteran Bill Freeman, a prominent figure in the returned servicemen’s community who died in late 2022.
Mr Thorpe paid tribute to Mr Freeman, who he said was a “beautiful person”.
The ashes of some veterans, including those of Mr Freeman were scattered at sea off the coast of Currumbin Beach by a surf boat crew.
While the event drew the largest crowed since 2019, numbers are lower than the record attendance nearly a decade ago surrounding the centennial of World War I.
Currumbin RSL president Michael Humphreys used his address to draw attention to the struggles of younger veterans today.
“As a society, we owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans who have bravely served our country,” he said.
“Most come home and return to some sense of normality. You will find veterans in all walks of life, in business both large and small, in the public service, working in the health system, transport, the police and corrective services.
“However, there are those that struggle with life that we know and often face a new set of challenges that can be difficult to overcome.
“These veterans struggle with physical injuries and disabilities as a result of their service and some may also suffer from mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.”
Prominent city figures who attended the ceremony were Federal Minister and Gold Coast Senator Murray Watt, Federal MP Karen Andrews, councillors Daphne McDonald and Gail O’Neill and Currumbin MP Laura Gerber.
Southport Dawn Service - Proud veterans march anyway
Thousands fell into a hushed silence as recorded sounds of gunfire rang through the pre-dawn on the shores of the Broadwater marking the start of the annual Southport Dawn Service.
The high winds left the flags flapping audibly as the service got underway.
Between about 4000 and 5000 gathered for the service – a crowd a little down on previous years.
The controversy meant a march from the RSL on Short St to the cenotaph in the Broadwater Parklands was cancelled.
That did not stop more than 100 veterans – led by Padre Don Parker – forming a rogue parade and marching into the service.
Among those was New Zealander Steve Oliver who came for the 40th reunion of the New Zealand Army Regular Force Cadet School.
About the march, he said: “It’s an integral part of the day showing our respect to past soldiers,” he said.
Mr Oliver said the reunion had been planned for Anzac Day on the Gold Coast because a large number of their veterans lived in the area.
He said the group had always planned to be part of the march but then realised they had walked into a “local s*** fight”.
Mr Oliver described plans to stop the march as “abhorrent”.
“It just shows great disrespect,” he said.
Despite the tensions Cr Patterson still attended the dawn service and laid a wreath.
Southport RSL sub-branch president John Riebeling said he did not know about the “illegal march”.
“It was very pleasing to see,” he said.
Mr Riebeling said other members of the sub-branch had decided to gather a few veterans for a march and it grew as more and more people heard about the rogue parade.
“We always said we were going to run the service as we saw fit,” he said.
“It’s a traditional service.”
Gold Coast-based veteran Greg Overton, who was a major when he retired from the Australian Army after 42 years, said he did not know the reasons behind the controversy.
“It’s a very good service,” he said.
“I think it was well managed.”
Mr Overton was at the service with his daughter and two-year-old grandson Carter.
“I think it’s an extremely significant day in terms of recognising the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who committed everything to upholding the values of Australia and the large number who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
Mr Overton said he brought his daughter and grandson to ensure those memories were not lost.
The traditional show of flares from a flotilla on the Broadwater was cancelled due to the windy weather.
Following the dawn service people gathered at the RSL sub-branch headquarters – the Southport Bowls Club.
An official march will take place later this morning followed by a second service.
Southport 8.30am service
Hundreds have lined Southport streets to pay tribute to former service men and women as part of the annual Anzac Day services.
Among those marching was Malaya veteran Ian Melton.
Mr Melton, who moved to the Gold Coast from Victoria about 18 months ago, served for 27 years in the air force reaching the rank of flight lieutenant.
Also in the parade were two of his grandsons – one as a navy cadet and the other as an Army cadet.
Mr Melton said Anzac Day was still important to him to “commemorate some of my mates”.
“It’s a great of heart to see more and more young people and they are actively engaged with what’s happening and what we remember,” he said.
“Let’s hope this continues after I have fallen off this twig.”
Among the youngsters remembering past service officers was The Southport School Amy cadet Oliver Ruston who wore his great grandfathers medals from New Guinea and Africa.
“It’s tradition I guess and to pay respects to everyone who have the lives,” he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate oversaw the March along the Gold Coast Hwy as it made its way to the cenotaph in the Broadwater Parklands.
Rain during the service did not deter the crowd with those out in the wet either putting up umbrellas or just staying in the rain.
Surfers Paradise Dawn Service - ‘Surrounded by those who give service’
Thousands gathered at the Surfers Paradise beachfront war memorial for the Surfers Paradise RSL Anzac Day service.
The service started with a veterans march along the beach front, arriving at the service under Australian and New Zealand flags, flapping in the wind above the Glitter Strip.
Squadron leader Michael Wiggins told the thousands assembled that Anzac Day was about recognising the sacrifice of others: “We are surrounded by those who give service.”
“Today is to commemorate all the other men and women who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy in society.”
Squadron leader Wiggins, who shared a story of two soldiers killed in the Vietnam War, added sacrifice was also a reality for the loved ones left behind: “I want to pay special tribute to the mums, dads, partners and children who have had to endure the fear and heartache and pain of loved ones going into harms way and especially those whose beloved has not returned.”
Wreaths were laid by dignitaries including LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek, the Surfers Paradise State School and also members of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club including Billy James.
Surfers Paradise RSL Patron Keith Anderson read The Ode before the Gold Coast City Brass Band’s bugler Dr Richard Thompson belted out a haunting version of the Last Post, followed by a minute’s silence, as light rain started to fall.
Gold Coast Year 6 schoolgirl Olivia Niall, of St Kevin’s, read poem In Flanders Fields before the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
Surfers Paradise RSL sub-branch committee member and Anzac Day Dawn Service flag marshall David Stoneley – who has been raising the flags for the service for 25 years – said it was great to see so many kids and families turn out among the thousands in Surfers Paradise.
Mr Stoneley, at pains to point out he was not a veteran, is a former police officer who has served on the RSL committee for 33 years. The 82-year-old says for him Anzac Day is about service and recognising those who have served.
They include his grandfather Tom Stoneley in World War I and his uncle Edwin Stoneley who served for the entirety of World War II from 1939 to 1945.
Dawn Service Master of Ceremonies Charles Wright AM, a Vietnam War veteran, said he thought of all soldiers going back to World War I, adding: “I think of my mates who got killed over there in Vietnam – you can’t not think about them on a day like today.”
Helensvale Dawn Service
A large crowd of well over 1000 people filled Remembrance Park in Helensvale for the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service.
The ceremony began at 5am with a song by Vietnam veteran Colonel Elliott.
There were also songs from the AB Paterson College choir.
In attendance were principals of local schools, MPs Mark Boothman and Sam O’Connor, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Councillor William Owen Jones.
North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch President Ken Golden urged those present to remember and thank veterans, and also those currently serving and their families.
“I think it’s important to seek out our veterans each day and thank them for what they have done for us as a nation,” he said.
“Their service has provided us the freedom to grow up, to raise our families, to have the opportunities to achieve all our dreams.
“Take time to thank the current service personnel for their dedication to preserving this freedom. For all those who miss out on family life, the birthdays, the anniversaries.”
Wreaths were laid by dignitaries and local sports and community groups, while tribute was paid to soldiers from the northern Gold Coast who lost their lives in both World Wars.
Rain began to gently fall as anthems and the Last Post were played, forming a colourful rainbow in the sky as the large crowd dispersed following the dignified ceremony.
Upper Coomera morning service
A giant crowd has turned out to honour veterans at an Anzac Day ceremony at the Upper Coomera cenotaph.
Veterans marching to the historic cenotaph included 100-year-old World War II veteran Keith Arneman, who served in the Middle East and New Guinea.
The march also included a large number of groups from local schools and community organisations.
Dignitaries in attendance included federal MP Bert van Manen, Theodore MP Mark Boothman, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Cr William Owen Jones.
Sergeant Simon Goss of 2nd 14th Light Horse regiment told the crowd that families from the Coomera area had made an enormous contribution to Australia’s peace and security.
“We tend to gravitate towards Gallipoli when we think of Anzac, the lives lost, the wounded and missing,” he said.
“But the shock of that news, of these casualties, rather than weaken the country’s resolve, at that time it served to strengthen it. The recruiting rate increased.
“ … From all over the country these Aussie battlers came, and Coomera was no exception.
“However the Anzacs carried more than the memories of just Gallipoli. For well over 100 years, and for many more conflicts, families from the Coomera region have said goodbye to their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, as they set forth, many on horseback, for this is horse country, on an adventure some would never return from.
“It is for them that we bow our heads and give thanks.”
Originally published as Anzac Day Services across the Gold Coast
Join the conversation
The one thing we all get wrong about ‘annoying’ cyclists
Cyclists have always divided opinion when it comes to Aussie roads – but should we cut them some slack?
Read more
Wahlberg leaves fans starstruck in split second encounter
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has left two Gold Coast disability workers in disbelief. Read why.
Read more