Thousands gather across SEQ to pay respects in Anzac Day dawn services, parades
Lest we forget. More than 20,000 people have gathered watch the Anzac Day parade through Brisbane’s CBD to pay respects to our hero veterans.
QLD News
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Crowds have started rolling in for the 2024 Anzac Day Parade as they look to secure a prime position for the march in Brisbane’s CBD.
The parade begins at 9.45am along george, Adelaide and Creek streets.
Anzac Day Parade Brisbane Committee Chairman Kerry Gallagher AM said the parade would be watched by a crowd of 18,000 to 22,000 people in a “momentous” occasion.
“We have good weather, so we’re expecting a decent turn out,” Mr Gallagher said.
“It’s a very special day for the veterans, the dawn service is a little bit sombre and reflective, but the parade is when they get together with their mates and so perhaps it’s a little more joyous for them.”
Mr Gallagher said this year’s parade will feature a commemoration for the 22 Australian nurses that died in the Bangka Island massacre.
“I’ve always been in awe of the courage of the 22 nurses that were marched out into the water and then shot, one survived,” he said.
“The 22 who died are really symbolic of the courage of the servicewoman that have defended Australia, that is not always recognised.”
Among the crowd walking in was 95-year-old veteran squadron leader John Burgess and his wife Jill.
Mr Burgess served during peacekeeping operations in Kashmir from 1963 to 1965, with the presence of Australian troops in the contested region continuing for more than 30 years.
“It was a conflict, they didn’t class it as a war, it was a disputed territory, with the Indians and Pakistanis fighting each other over that territory,” Mr Burgess said.
“It was hairy at times, I spent two summers in the Punjab desert and two winters at the foothill of the Himalayas.”
Mr Burgess collectively served over 30 years, spending 18 years in the army and 16 years in the air force.
“I enjoyed being in the service, it was different to civilian life, you had to adjust when you left and when you retired.”
After all these years, Mr Burgess said it is great to see the Anzac Day tradition continue.
“It’s getting bigger every year, it’s good to see the young people coming in,” he said.
Thousands gather for SEQ dawn services
Veterans, families and friends gather in Brisbane’s Anzac Square alongside serving members and dignitaries to pay respects at the annual dawn service.
Queenslanders turned out in the thousands across the state including in Brisbane’s CBD for the service early from as early as 3.30am.
Governor Dr Jeannette Young was the first to lay a wreath followed by other dignitaries.
Dr Young told the crowd gathered in the dark in Brisbane said “This story began 109 years ago today on a beach far from here.”
“When 16,000 Australian New Zealand soldiers face to dawn that would bring immense loss of life and heartache on a beach in Gallipoli,” she told the crowd.
After the service, large crowds remained around the Shrine of Remembrance for their own reflection and to lay a wreath.
Veteran Joshua Simon, and Christinia Eastall had brought out their two daughters Chloe and Jordan for the dawn service.
Mr Simon had two of his own medals pinned to his chest, “one’s an operational service medal, the others an Australian defence medal”.
Mr Simon attends the Brisbane service every year.
“It’s a pretty special morning, and it’s equally important to bring the kids along,” he said.
Commander Penelope Twemlow had flown to Brisbane from Canberra to attend the service with her family.
With her nephew sitting on her brother in laws shoulders wearing her grandfather’s medals, who served in the Royal Navy.
Ms Twemlow said she has a service history within her family.
“It’s really important for us to be able to give thanks for their service, particularly for those who have fallen,” she said.
Sarah Pekacz, and Marce Jennings-Temple and his two daughters Ayda Ohlson and Nora Jennings-Temple also attended the service.
Marce Jennings-Temple visits comes to the Shrine of Remembrance with his family each year and said it is to “recognise the sacrifice people have made, something we do torched every year to this site”.
Sarah Pekacz said “it’s a nice reflection time, time to stop and pause what they went through, and what we have now”.
Thousands also gathered at Redland Bay cenotaph including RSL sub branch member Rob Corran who served as in the Explosive Ordinance disposal unit in Vietnam War for 166 days.
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