‘It just gets bigger and bigger’: thousands attend ANZAC services in Bargara and Bundaberg

The Anzac spirit was in full display across the Bundaberg region as thousands of residents paid their respects to the men and women who have served Australia. See the full gallery.

Thousands from around Bundaberg region gathered to the region’s Anzac Day ceremonies. See the photos in our mega gallery.

After a rainy start the sun shone brightly on the thousands of people who turned out in Bundaberg to pay their respects on Anzac Day 2023.

Squalls of rain did not deter those who gathered in Bargara for the moving Dawn Service.

Bargara resident Alex Avery has seen the crowds growing every year since the first Dawn Service he attended more than 20 years ago.

“We were here when it first started in 1997, that was a long time ago – it has grown every year, it just gets bigger and bigger,” Mr Avery said.

Bundaberg and Bargara ANZAC Day 2023

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Most came prepared with umbrellas and rain jackets, while others took shelter under the nearby shop awnings as light showers fell throughout the ceremony.

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The service began with the haunting “Terre de combat,” a song memorialising those who lost their lives in World War I written and performed by Bruno Sauvy, a native of Vignacourt in France where thousands of Australian Diggers lived and died while waging the Battle of the Somme.

The crowd craned their necks to watch a T28 Trojan WWII Fighter perform an aerial salute, flown by RAAF Captain (retd.) Ross Parker.

Thousands withstood rain showers to attend a moving Dawn Service at Bargara.

Bundaberg Regional Councillors May Mitchell and Vince Habermann were among the dignitaries to lay wreaths, with MP Keith Pitt represented by media adviser Liz Carson.

Students lined up to lay wreaths on behalf of many schools from around the region including Bargara State School, Shalom College and St Lukes Anglican School.

This was followed by The Last Post and Rouse, performed by bugler Selena Rasmussen and set against the dramatic and picturesque backdrop of the ocean beyond the stage.

Long-time parade marshall John O’Callaghan received a round of applause when it was announced this would be his last time in charge of the Bargara ANZAC day parade.

The rain had cleared by 8AM, when the parade including hundreds of schoolchildren in brightly-coloured uniforms assembled on Bourbong Street ahead of the Bundaberg Civil Service.

Thousands gathered on the street to watch the parade file past the Cenotaph into Buss Park for the service.

Ranks of school students filed past the Cenotaph into Buss Park for the Bundaberg Civic Service.

Mayor Jack Dempsey was master of ceremonies, with speeches and readings punctuated by a lament performed by Pipe Major Kyle Meyers from the Bundaberg Caledonian Pipe Band and hymns sung by Suellen Cusack-Greensill accompanied by the Bundaberg Municipal Band.

MPs Tom Smith and Stephen Bennett were among the dignitaries to lay wreaths, along with representatives from QPS, SES and local schools.

MP Tom Smith was among the dignitaries to lay wreaths at the Bundaberg Civic Service.

In a solemn and moving tribute, students planted white crosses with red poppies in the ceremonial garden.

Both Mr Smith and Mr Bennett noted that the extensive involvement of younger generations in the day’s services was a sign the Anzac tradition had a strong future in Australian cultural life.

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“We are seeing the numbers continue to rise every year, I still remember people predicting that Anzac services would be something that would fade into oblivion, but have a look at the numbers here in Bundaberg, it’s just fantastic,” Mr Bennett said.

“I think the participation of students and the respect they are showing is something we can be really proud of.”

In a solemn and moving tribute, students also planted white crosses with red poppies in the ceremonial garden.

Mr Smith said “it’s wonderful to see so many children out there marching with their grandparents”.

“There is something unique about Anzac Day that really gets to the spirit of all of Australia but especially regional Queensland.

“Today is a day of solemn reflection and commemoration of those who have served and those who are still serving, but also it is a wonderful way that we can all come together as a community and really pay our respects to those who came before us.”