Calls for young veterans to take part in this year’s Anzac Day march in Toowoomba

After being cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the much-loved Anzac Day marches will return to Toowoomba on April 25. And there are calls for the younger generation to get involved.

The president of the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch is encouraging contemporary veterans to turn out in force and march in this year’s Anzac Day parade.

After Anzac Day commemorations were disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, servicemen and women are keen to once again march from the Neil Street bus depot to the Mothers’ Memorial.

“The reason we march is because we are the custodians of the Anzac spirit,” Sub Branch president Scott May said.

“And without us participating actively and marching on Anzac Day, we run the risk of losing that.”

With those who have served in the armed forces post-Vietnam War in mind, Mr May said traditionally, that group had felt unwelcome because there was no specific spot for them to march.

“But this year, we’re going to be marching,” he said.

“There’s going to be a group of us – all the younger veterans – we’re going to be marching in a big group, navy, army, air force, male, female, peacetime service or not.

“That’s one of the key things we want to try and get across.”

This year will be the first time that Jason Hurst will join in the Anzac Day march since he discharged from the armed forces seven years ago.

“The main reason is because there’s been nothing for my generation,” he said.

“Contemporary veterans haven’t been catered for in the past.

“I’m looking forward to (the march) this year.”

The march to this year’s Dawn Service will form up at the Neil St depot at 5am, where there will be rum and coffee.

Veterans will march to the cenotaph, where the service will begin at 5.30am.

After the dawn service, there’ll be a gunfire breakfast supported by the Spotted Cow Hotel, Four Brothers Brewing, and Xpresso Coffee Van at the Railway Goods Shed in Victoria Street.

Hospitality will continue there throughout the day, and the Sub Branch auxiliary will be cooking up light meals like burgers and hot dogs. At 9am, there will be a citizen’s wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph for people who aren’t a part of the service itself.

Then at 10am veterans will form up for another march at the Neil St bus depot, with the midmorning service to begin at 10.30am.

Toowoomba’s biggest two-up ring will kick off from 12.30pm at the Railway Goods Shed.

Originally published as Calls for young veterans to take part in this year’s Anzac Day march in Toowoomba