Sunshine Coast Anzac coverage: Weather wreaks havoc on services

Crowds have gathered across the Sunshine Coast for Anzac Day events despite an overnight deluge wreaking havoc on services. Here’s how the region commemorated Anzac Day 2025.

Flash flooding has plagued several Anzac Day services after wild storms battered the Sunshine Coast overnight.

However, the weather didn’t stop crowds gathering for marches and services across the region to honour past and present military personnel.

In Maroochydore, crowds paid their respects at a memorial in Cotton Tree, while onlookers lined Burnett St in Buderim for the annual Anzac Day march.

Crowds at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

Kevan Brown with a 1943 Jeep at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

Damien Doolan with a 1944 Ford GPW at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

102-year-old veteran Bill White (left) at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

Alan Alexander McSaveney at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

Karen and Steve Wikman at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Holly and Chris Fraser at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

The young flag bearers that stood stoically in the pouring rain at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service 2025. Isaac and Ella Green, Zoe and Sienna.

Edan, Jasmine and Russell at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Laura, Chris and Eleanor Harper at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

David and Colleen Gherashe at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Claudia, Ryan Spice and Melissa Pietrala at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Liam and Alex Magianis at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Anja and Lucy at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Flowers at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

A wreath at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

A rain Anzac Day march in Buderim, April 25, 2025.

Denys, Cheryl, Mal, Bev and Ron at the Buderim Anzac Day march, April 25, 2025.

Councillor Joe Natoli at the Cotton Tree Anzac Day service, April 25, 2025.

Dawn services cancelled

The Sunshine Coast copped the worst of the weather in the South East overnight with a monster rain bomb dumping 234mm at Woombye, 200mm at Nambour and 176mm at Poona Dam on the eve of a day which honours the sacrifice of our Diggers.

Flash flooding at Currie St, Nambour. Picture: Bree Beagley

Water underneath the car park at Snap Fitness in Nambour. Picture: Cath Grayson

The rain bomb affected most of the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Cath Grayson

Anzac Day services in Nambour were cancelled. Picture: Vicki Arthur

A car submerged in flood waters at Nambour. Picture: Vicki Grayson

The wild weather led to emergency crews being called to Hospital Rd at Nambour about 3am on Friday to reports a car was caught in flash flooding. A man was taken to Nambour Hospital in a stable condition.

A woman was also taken to Nambour Hospital with neck pain in a stable condition after a lightning strike to the home on Yandina Bli Bli Road at 12.43am.

Sadly due to the conditions, several Dawn Services were cancelled which included Buderim and Nambour.

The dawn service at RSL Memorial Park at Tewantin. Picture: Jarrod Tutbury

Buderim locals, Cheryl and Denys said they were disappointed the Buderim Dawn Service was cancelled and described the decision as “un-Australian”.

The pair said they couldn’t recall another time the service hadn’t run due to bad weather.

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at Woombye. Picture: Facebook/Marty Hunt MP

The Nambour RSL Sub Branch took to social media this morning to state their Anzac Day march was also cancelled due to flooding, however the Buderim and Maroochydore march went ahead as planned.

Ex Service and Serving Women’s Association at the Maroochydore Anzac Day March. Picture: Jarrod Tutbury

According to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, flash flooding has affected Eumundi Kenilworth Rd at Gheerulla, Obi Obi Rd at Kenilworth, Maleny Kenilworth Rd at Conondale and Woombye Palmwoods Rd at Palmwoods.

There were road closures at Currie St at Nambour, Bli Bli Rd at Nambour and Bli Bli, Crosby Hill Rd at Mountain Creek Black Mountain Rd at Black Mountain and Black Pinch Rd at Cootharaba. Do not drive in flood waters.