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Anzac Day 2021 Brisbane and Queensland live coverage

Thousands of people have filled the Brisbane CBD for the city's Anzac parade. It comes after massive crowds at Dawn Services across Queensland. FOLLOW OUR LIVE COVERAGE

Sophie Chirgwin and Shiloh Payne
less than 2 min read
April 25, 2021 - 5:13AM

Traditional Anzac Day commemorations – from the Dawn Service at Anzac Square in Brisbane City to local events across Queensland – return for 2021.

The Courier-Mail is covering the day starting with the Anzac Square service.

Photos and stories from across Brisbane and the state will be published here across the day.

>> Full list of Anzac Day services across Brisbane 2021

>> IN PICTURES: 41 heroes who gave their lives

Updates

Thousands pack CBD for Anzac Day parade

John Farmer

Thousands of Queenslanders have come out for Brisbane’s ANZAC Day parade through the city.

School marching bands, Australian widows, nurses and veterans travelling in cabs and army cars are some of the groups featured in the parade.



Streets are lined with Queenslanders proudly wearing their family member’s medals.

A Royal Australian Air Force fly past marked the beginning of the parade. Crowds applauded as the march continued, with children watching in awe.


One young boy waved to RAAF personnel as he sat on his father's shoulders while they marched past him.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and LNP leader David Crisafulli attended the parade.



Vietnam war veteran Emile Smets sat in the crowd wearing his many medals.

“I am remembering my father today,” he said.

Record crowds at Toowoomba Dawn Service

John Farmer

It was as if the dreaded COVID year never existed as crowds flocked to the return of the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Toowoomba.

Mothers’ Memorial Park welcomed arguably the biggest ever Dawn Service crowd as thousands braved a chilly but calm morning to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we Australians could have the life we have today.

After Anzac Day services were cancelled last year, everyone seemed overwhelmed to have Anzac Day services back.

The Harlaxton RSL Brass Band was back, the Anne Thomas Ensemble leading the throng singing In Flanders Field was back, and Eddie Kemp was back to play The Last Post.

“I’ve been playing it (at Anzac Day services) since 1966,” Mr Kemp said after the service.

“Last year, I played it from a veranda near St Mary’s College and I think there was the school principal, one other and me.

“It’s good to be back here (Mothers’ Memorial) with so many people.”

Veteran Graeme Hunter, who prefers to be referred to as his motorcycle riding name of Billy Blogs, was pleased to be back marching at the dawn service.

“I did the driveway thing last year, I arranged my own Anzac Day ceremony in the driveway,” he said.

“I feel for the guys in Perth at the moment, to have their Anzac Day cancelled.

“At least we can still do it here.

“I’m not happy about Melbourne having 80,000 at the footy but only 10,000 for the Anzac Day march.

“I know which one should take precedence.”

Stephen Wheeler, who served in Afghanistan, attended the service with his family.

“It’s always good,” he said of the Anzac Day ceremonies.

“This is a good country, a good place to call home.”

– Peter Hardwick

– Photos: Kevin Farmer

Bribie Island pauses to remember the fallen

John Farmer

Hundreds attended the Bribie Island Dawn Service at 4.28am today. It was a moving service followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the RSL.


A morning service will be held at the Bribie Island RSL at 9am and at Caboolture Town Square at 10am.

A F/A-18F Super Hornet is due to do a flyover along Morayfield Rd, Caboolture at 11.10am.

– Erin Smith

John Farmer

Veteran reveals 'mental anguish' at Sunshine Coast Dawn Service

John Farmer

Thousands have turned out to take part in Dawn Services on the Sunshine Coast after COVID forced people to commemorate from their homes last year.

A moving ceremony started under the cover of darkness in Beerwah at 4.28am.

Bagpipes rang out under a starry sky while a procession made its way to the plaque of remembrance.

A crowd stood in silence at Turner Park as candles dotted the group.

Beerwah State High School principal Lyn McDonald led the service.

Beerwah and District RSL Sub Branch president John Nisbitt said the day was about reflection.

"We honour their sacrifice by living a good life in support of others, respecting the freedoms given to us and inspiring others to build a better Australia," he said.

"We should strive to be worthy of their sacrifice made for us."

He said it was special to be able to gather again after Aussies commemorated in their driveways last year.

"I was surprised to see how well it went all across the country," he said.

Mr Nisbitt has been with the Beerwah sub branch for nine years.

He enlisted in the army and stayed put in Australia during his first national service in 1956.

"This is the only chance we get all year to commemorate the job that these fellas have done for this country," he said.

"It's something I personally enjoy doing because my dad was one of the fellas that went overseas, so I'm just respecting his memory as well."

Mr Nisbitt's father served in New Guinea and was one of the lucky ones to return home.

"He was a bit of a mess when he came home but we got him alright again," he said.

"It's something you never get away from.

"Most of our sub branch here have got wounds that will heal but the mental anguish never really goes away."

– Natalie Wynne

Anzac tradition burns bright on Fraser Coast

John Farmer

Vietnam Veteran and Point Vernon resident Larry Smith (pictured below with Brian Semler) attended the dawn service in Hervey Bay this morning and said he was "surprised how many people turned up."

"Not just (veterans) but kids and families," he told the Chronicle.

"There was this one young family with two kids, the parents were both wearing medals so that's a good sign the tradition is going to keep (running)," Mr Smith said.

Hundreds had gathered on the cool morning for the Hervey Bay dawn service from 5.15am.

Veterans continued through the local streets, the slowly rising sun and street lights guiding the path.

Traveller Tiffany Collins said it didn't matter where she was, she would rise this early "every year to pay respects to (her) grandfather" who fought in WWII. "I'm not a local here but it doesn't matter", Ms Collins told the Chronicle.

"I think it's important because it's paying tribute to those we lost but it also keeps those we didn't lose knowing we haven't forgotten their fight."

Cafe Espresso 3.31 owner Greg Lagstrom told the Chronicle he and his partner opened their store this early most mornings but today's opening was a little different from the rest.

"We're both ex-airforce, it was a bit chilly but it was a good service … short and sweet," Mr Lagstrom said.

"It was different without kids and bands (marching) but it was good going back and doing it the right way.

We appreciate the people that are marching and what they're representing, they stood up for us in the past and they're still standing up for us."

– Carlie Walker, Jessica Grewal, Stuart Fast and Isabella Magee

15,000 attend Townsville's Dawn Service

John Farmer

Thousands of Townsville residents gathered in Anzac Park this morning to pay their respects this Anzac Day.

The occasion looks different to last year, where people were confined to the end of their driveways due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor Jenny Hill and RSL Sub Branch President Bill Whitburn OAM led the service this morning at Anzac Park on The Strand.

Thousands of people attended despite the gloomy weather and threat of rain, with an estimated 15,000 people in attendance.

– Hugh Suffell

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/anzac-day-2021-brisbane-and-queensland-live-coverage/live-coverage/1047a9168e066de69f83fa842fd108bd