Remembrance Day Brisbane: Community pays tribute to fallen in solemn Remembrance Day memorial
Hundreds of veterans have joined dignitaries and members of the public in Brisbane to pay their respects to the thousands of soldiers who have laid down their lives for Australia.
QLD News
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Nearly 1000 people gathered at the Anzac Square War Memorial in Brisbane city to remember those who laid down their lives 105 years ago, on Monday.
Councillors, Governors, veterans, Premier David Crisafulli and Opposition Leader Steven Miles all laid wreaths in honour of the fallen.
The Remembrance Day ceremony began with the entrance of Queensland Governor Dr Jeanette Young, her husband Professor Graham Nimmo and RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM.
Spectators crowded the entire surrounds of a humid Ann Street that was closed to traffic for the duration of the ceremony.
“We gather in complete security with respect for one another,” Major General Day said.
“On behalf of all veterans I have the privilege of presenting in front of some of our states most important visitors.
“In war people give everything, today we pause to remember those who gave everything. Our fallen.”
Major General Day said the losses in the war were “unimaginably painful”.
“By the end of Great War, 10 per cent of Australia’s adult male population had been killed or wounded,” Major General Day said.
“No family or community was untouched.”
Recipient of the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Prize, Sophie Robertson, shared anecdotes from her 16-day tour through Belgium, France and the UK, where she explored important memorial sites from World War I and II.
“We sang Waltzing Matilda in Belgium and I was the first in my family to track down the memorial for my great uncle,” Miss Robertson said.
Veteran Donald Graham, 90, who served for 30 years across the globe, said his multiple medals signified his sacrifice for his country.
“I laid my life down for my country and made it possible for General Cosgrove to recognise regular female and male soldiers with medals, before this only reserved soldiers received medals,” Mr Graham said.
The crowd sang the Australian National Anthem and classic hymn Abide With Me before The Last Post and one minute of silence.
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