Mackay Anzac Day 2021: Mackay region pays its respect to war veterans
Kuttabul’s Dawn Service honours Light Horse Brigade plus region remembers those who paid supreme sacrifice
Mackay
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Residents have returned to Anzac Day Dawn Services this year, with the day's first light showing the huge crowds paying their respects.
The Daily Mercury is covering the day starting with the Jubilee Park Dawn Service.
Photos and stories from across the region will be published here throughout the day.
Kuttabul's tradition still honouring our Anzacs
Three riders and their horses lead the march that commenced the Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service to the sounds of bagpipes across the chill air.
The Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service was attended by hundreds of Mackay region locals to commemorate those who served and in particular the Australian Light Horse brigade.
School children and descendants of veterans marched along next before gathering in the Hampden State School Remembrance Garden to hear tales and reflect up on the Anzacs.
Graham Kerr, the grandson of veteran Len Lester, read a speech written by his grandfather for the occasion.
Through his grandson, Mr Kerr advocated for the younger generation to take charge and defend the freedoms he and his comrades fought for.
Photos from Mackay's Dawn Service
Kuttabul honours the Light Horse
Clancy Morgan honoured her great-grandfather with his medals proudly adorning her Whitsunday Anglican School uniform.
The Year 10 student said she was honoured to wear them at the Kuttabul Dawn Service, a special commemoration that remembers those who served and the Australian Light Horse brigade.
Hundreds of people rose early to gather at the Remembrance Garden in the Hampden State School.
School children were among the many gathered to lay wreaths for those who had died serving their country.
"These are my great granddad's," Ms Morgan said.
"He was an Indigenous serviceman and served in Korea, New Guinea and Borneo."
Ms Morgan said her great grandfather's name was Thomas Watson.
"I feel really honoured to be able to wear them," she said.
Governor honours Air Force, past and present
His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, today delivered the 2021 Anzac Day Dawn Service of Remembrance speech at Brisbane's Anzac Square.
The Governor used the occasion to particularly focus on the contributions of the Royal Australian Air Force to Australia's defence, in the RAAF's centenary year.
"This year we celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, and we pay homage to its men and women.
"Over the past 100 years, the planes and technology have changed beyond recognition. What hasn't altered, is Air Force personnel's commitment to service and their country.
"In World War 2, Queensland played an integral part in Australia's air defence of the Pacific - and of our own shores.
"Horn Island, off the northern tip of Queensland, was attacked by Japanese aircraft on at least eight occasions - the second hardest hit Australian region after Darwin. Townsville and Mossman would also come under direct attack.
"In its centenary year, while we pause a little longer in acknowledgment of the RAAF, our gratitude and unalloyed respect belong to all who have served, all who are serving.
"We further turn our minds to those personnel who, for the moment, are still deployed in Afghanistan. They will return to a nation grateful for their service, and a nation very much aware of the human cost of our longest war - 42 Australian lives lost, and many more physically and mentally wounded.
"Our ANZAC Day commemorations are unique to Australia and New Zealand.
"They are unique, because people want them, not because the government or the RSL ordains them. They are people led."
Dawn sheds light on massive crowds in Mackay
Mackay RSL Sub-branch vice president Col Benson said about 3000 people attended the dawn service at Jubilee Park, a humbling sight as the country pauses in reflection for our war veterans.
Australia's oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne AM recited The Ode, his voice echoing out across the silent city, growing stronger with the sombre words, Lest We Forget.
It was an honour for the man and the crowd over which dawn's first light revealed very different scenes to last year when COVID-19 cancelled services across Australia.
Mackay and District Pipe Band piper Brad Kelleher laid the solitary wreath, a tradition which honours those who never returned from WWI.
Honouring family with medals at dawn
About 200 people attended the Dawn Service at Half Tide Beach Memorial Park at Half Tide Beach.
This included Judith Sheean whose late husband William Sheean was the nephew of Victoria Cross recipient Teddy Sheean.
It was the first time the Victoria Cross medal was worn at an Anzac Day service.
"He received the official Victoria Cross on the first of December, 2020. That was the day the ship sank 78 years ago," Mrs Sheean said.
"The family was absolutely over the moon he was finally awarded in what he felt he should have had a long time ago for his bravery."
"My husband was desperately hoping to make it here but sadly he passed away (six weeks ago).
"But I'm here."
She said it was overwhelming to her husband's and Teddy's medals.
The service was led by Vietnam Veteran Tom Andrews, who served in the Royal Australian Navy.
Harrison Lamb (Mackay and District Pipe Band) played the bagpipes at the service.
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