Queenslanders rise in droves to honour the Anzacs
Thousands of people have braved the rain in Brisbane’s CBD to attend the first Anzac Day march in two years not impacted by Covid restrictions.
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They had rain in their eyes and soaked T-shirts, but those who marched in Brisbane’s Anzac parade didn’t miss a beat.
Hundreds of veterans arm-in-arm with families have walked through Brisbane CBD streets, as cold, wet rain soaked through uniforms.
The streets were lined with thousands of people in a show of gratitude for the brave men and women who served.
Marching bands from several organisations impressed huge crowds of people who filled the pathways for the first time in two years.
The largest band was Mackay North State High School with 100 students who had evidently been practising for months.
They marched alongside other talented students including from St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, as well as marching bands from divisions of the Australian Defence Force, Queensland police and the Emmanuel College Highlanders.
Joining in the Anzac parade was the British Ex Services Association.
DJ Vaughan said the group, many of whom fought alongside Australian soldiers, came together on Anzac Day to remember their fallen friends.
“It has been hard, the past two years, to not be able to get together,” Mr Vaughan said.
Edward Pitt of the British Ex Services Association said he fought alongside Australians in Korea.
“I’m here to represent my mates,” Mr Pitt said.
He is boarded a Jeep, alongside ex service woman Brenda Stephens, to ride through the parade.
Ms Stephens said Anzac Day was “really really special”.
Spanish-born serviceman Robert White served alongside “heroic” Australian Diggers in the Vietnam War and will march alongside them today, decades later.
It’s the first time in four years Mr White, 78, will catch up with men he described as being “willing to do whatever it took”.
The ex-Petty Officer served with the United States navy and said it was a privilege to be part of today’s commemorations.
“I worked alongside the Aussie Diggers in Long Tan, they were great guys,” Mr White said.
“They were excellent. Willing to take a risk to make sure what happened didn’t happen.
“They were heroes. And like us, drank a lot of beer.”
Mr White will also be presenting a wreath to remember the 80th anniversary of the battle for Coral Sea which his uncle participated in.
VETERAN’S EMOTIONAL SOLO MARCH
Australian Army veteran Trevor Robinson brought his Paddington neighbourhood together this morning for their own Dawn Service on Oxford St.
The well-loved 88-year-old said it was heartwarming to see so much support for the ANZACs during the candlelit service which began as a result of Covid-19 restrictions in 2020.
“It just feels so lovely,” Mr Robinson said.
“It’s such a friendly street so we actually have four street parties a year.”
Mr Robinson spent 15 years in the Army from 1952 with 16 different units.
He said Anzac Day was “very special” and brought back lovely memories.
His neighbours lined their footpaths in the rain as Mr Robinson did a solo march down his street.
“Anzac Day has boosted up again because I feel like it shrunk down for a while,” he said.
Neighbour Eleanor Mitchell said it was exciting to have their own Dawn Service to honour their dear neighbour as well as all those who have served.
“It was one of the silver linings of Covid-19 and it’s a really special way to bring all of the street together,” Ms Mitchell said.
Her husband Anthony Mitchell said the service was also an opportunity for residents to reflect upon their family members who had gone before them and fought for their country.
He spent the morning thinking of his grandfather who was a British Army soldier and prisoner of war
“On the other side of my family we had a flight navigator who was actually killed in action in the Second World War,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the challenges of both wars and the hardships that were involved in those.”
The Mitchell’s daughters Charlotte and Alice were among many children who were on their street before 6am this morning to show their support for their war heroes.
BRISBANE CBD
Side-by-side with their war heroes, Brisbane residents rose before the sun this morning for a moving tribute to the valiant people who have fought for their country.
Hundreds of attendees poured into Anzac Square from 3.30am ahead of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Brisbane City’s Shrine of Remembrance which began at 4.28am.
The flags were lowered to half mast ahead of the service before Master of Ceremonies Darren Curtis welcomed VIPs including RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day, Governor of Queensland Dr Jeanette Young and Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD.
Mr Curtis said it was wonderful to see so many people turn out at the event on the wet and cold morning, after two years of disruption.
“Anzac Square is once again full,” he said.
The square was transformed into a sea of umbrellas but no one was deterred from paying their respects, with Mr Curtis thanking the assembly for holding steadfast despite the shower.
The Service began at 4.28am sharp with the Catafalque Party mounting the Shrine of Remembrance.
Chaplain Gary Stone, OAM, then led the assembly in prayer.
A veteran himself, he described the sight of a full ANZAC Square as breathtaking.
Mr Stone said Australians could be proud of the thousands of lives Australians had saved overseas and he acknowledged conflict currently happening around the world.
“Let us pray for peace,” he said.
The service has been organised by the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said it “meant everything” to see so many people turn out to honour veterans in Brisbane.
The Australian Army veteran, who served in Afghanistan alongside his son, said his train into the city was packed at 3.30am.
“I think Light Up the Dawn (street services) is a great tradition that has come out of the challenges of the last couple of years but there is nothing like doing it in person across the broader community,” Major General Day said.
“And it has been a tough couple of years and so I think this is one of those things that is a sign that perhaps normalcy is returning to our lives.
“It’s a great thing.”
RSL hosted and organised 520 services across the state in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
None were hosted in 2020 as people began commemorating Anzac Day in their streets.
Numbers have almost bounced back to pre-pandemic levels this year with RSL Queensland hosting almost 500 services.
Major General Day said while “the weather hasn’t been as kind to us as they should have been,” it was essential to celebrate Anzac Day.
“As an old drill sergeant once said to me, your skin is waterproof, so we all got through that,” he said.
“But (the Dawn Service) was a respectful, sombre commemoration and I’m looking forward to the march.
“I’m hoping the weather gods are going to be kinder to us shortly where we can get a chance to sort of mix as veterans … with our community and the afterwards relive some old dreams and tall stories.”
The Anzac Day Parade will be held on Adelaide Street, between George St and Creek St from 9.45am to 12.30pm and will feature former and current Australian Defence Force veterans as well as other groups that contribute to the parade.
Major General Day said Australians would be feeling trepidation during services this year due to the conflict in Ukraine.
“It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen troubles this significant in Europe and people are feeling a bit unsettled,” he said.
“Today is a chance for us to get together and have a bit of a conversation about that.”
Major General Day was appointed as the State President in 2021 and has more than 15 years of experience in the Australian Army.
He said Australians should make something of the opportunities afforded to them by the sacrifices of those who served, by living their lives to their best ability.
Joining in the Anzac parade through Brisbane City was the British Ex Services Association.
DJ Vaughan said the group, many of whom fought alongside Australian soldiers, came together on Anzac Day to remember their fallen friends.
“It has been hard, the past two years, to not be able to get together,” Mr Vaughan said.
Edward Pitt of the British Ex Services Association said he fought alongside Australians in Korea.
“I’m here to represent my mates,” Mr Pitt said.
He boarded a Jeep, alongside ex service woman Brenda Stephens, to ride through the parade.
Ms Stephens said Anzac Day was “really really special”.
Spanish-born serviceman Robert White served alongside “heroic” Australian Diggers in the Vietnam War and will march alongside them today.
It’s the first time in four years Mr White, 78, will catch up with men he described as being “willing to do whatever it took”.
The ex-Petty Officer served with the United States navy and said it was a privilege to be part of today’s commemorations.
“I worked alongside the Aussie Diggers in Long Tan, they were great guys,” Mr White said.
“They were excellent. Willing to take a risk to make sure what happened didn’t happen.
“They were heroes. And like us, drank a lot of beer.”
Mr White will also be presenting a wreath to remember the 80th anniversary of the battle for Coral Sea which his uncle participated in.
TOOWONG RSL
About 3000 people paid their respects to the fallen at one of Australia’s oldest cenotaphs, at the Toowong RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service.
A crescent moon shone down on the crowd, with rain staying away for most of the moving service, MC-ed by Sub-Branch president Peter Gow.
The crowd heard the stories of some of the 101 servicemen from the Toowong area whose names are inscribed on the cenotaph, erected in 1919.
The sacrifice of local farmers, clerks and the son of the then Toowong Mayor was not in vain, Mr Gow told them.
“Today we meet at the Toowong Soldiers Memorial that was officially dedicated by the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan,’’ he said.
“On this memorial are listed the names of 101 men from the Toowong district who had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in World War I and failed to return to their families.
“We remember, too, all Australians killed in military operations since that time.’’
RSL Deputy President Ross Williamson said it was wonderful so many had turned out for the first full service since 2020.
“We’re just happy to be doing it again. It’s for the community and gives them a chance to pay their respects.’’
LOGAN
Logan’s youngest living World War II veteran, Jack Ruxton was among hundreds of locals who didn’t let the rain dampen his spirits while attending the Logan Central Dawn Service.
The 93-year-old said he didn’t let the pandemic stop him from coming to the Logan Cenotaph on Anzac Day and today’s downpour wouldn’t either.
Division Two Cr Teresa Lane said things wouldn’t be the same without Jack.
“In 2020 there were three of us here at the Cenotaph at 5.30am and all of a sudden you saw these grey shapes approaching,” she said.
“It was because people just couldn’t stay away and one of them was Jack. We weren’t supposed to be here but we were all here.”
Logan historian Mic Noble said he was happy to see crowd numbers continue to grow since Covid-19.
Mr Noble was instrumental in bringing the Logan Central Dawn Service back to its former glory after the local RSL sub-branch was closed.
“I love to see our local participation and the fact that it’s continuing to grow,” he said.
Mr Noble created the startling display of white crosses to immortalise 300 Logan Diggers whose names were inscribed on a plaque found at the now defunct Logan and District RSL sub-branch.
KEDRON-WAVELL
Hundreds of people lined the streets to celebrate Anzac Day at the Chermside Historical Precinct.
Locals filled the footpaths as they paid respects to the fallen.
Families and kids huddled together braved the wet weather for a day of respect and reflection.
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