Gold Coast ready for its biggest Anzac Day

THE city’s RSL clubs are bracing for the biggest Anzac Day commemorations in the history of the organisation.

Anzac Day service in Nerang to the Nerang RSL Club. Armed Forces march at Nerang. Reporter: Jennifer Barwick

THE Gold Coast’s RSL sub-branches are bracing for the biggest Anzac Day commemorations in the history of the organisation.

Thousands will gather across the Coast to commemorate the fallen war heroes while the ashes of those who passed recently will be scattered at Currumbin.
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Nerang RSL sub-branch president Mark Swain said his club was bracing for more than 8000 people at their memorial.

He said the service will involve several schools, a rugby team and even a hologram ­machine.

“Our dawn service will start at 4.45 which will be bigger than ever before,” he said.

“Schoolchildren and rugby teams will be holding up flags which depict the air force and every part of World War I.

“We will also have a hologram machine to put on a very special show for the audience. It cost around $20,000 so I expect the show will be something you cannot miss.”

Mr Swain said the Nerang Land Rover club had donated vehicles for the day of commemoration so older veterans can be driven through the march.

Last year’s Anzac Day dawn service at Southport. Photo: David Clark

Surf Life Saving Queensland is also hosting memorial services tomorrow to remember those lost at war and sea.

Gold Coast SLSQ co-ordinator Nathan Fife said the services would take place Kurrawa and Coolangatta.

“Lifesavers wearing patrol uniforms will be using inflatable rescue boats to drop a red and yellow wreath into the surf as a mark of respect.

“The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter will also be performing a flyover.”

Veterans at a Palm Beach Anzac Day service.

The Tweed Coast’s Murwillumbah RSL sub-branch will host a more personal service tomorrow morning.

Sub-branch president Ron Bossink said his club had identified more than 123 veterans who were at Gallipoli who had connections to the area.

The soldiers will be honoured at a commemoration service outside the Tweed Shire Council building.

Robert Amour with grand daughter Katura Halleday at last year’s dawn service at Currumbin. Photo: Richard Gosling

“We have tracked down the relatives of the Gallipoli veterans and have figured out 31 of the 123 soldiers were killed in the conflict,” he said.

The Tweed Heads Coolan­gatta RSL is also hosting a major Gallipoli landing re-enactment which is expected to draw thousands to the Jack Evans Boat Harbour at dawn.

Originally published as Gold Coast ready for its biggest Anzac Day