Anzac Day in Townsville: Services times and how the city will pay respect to soldiers past and present
Anzac Day in the country’s best garrison city is always special and on Friday the community will gather to commemorate the fallen. Here’s how we will pay tribute.
Townsville
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Anzac Day in the country’s best garrison city is always special and on Friday the community will gather to commemorate the fallen.
For Townsville RSL president Col Mosch Anzac Day is the most meaningful day of the year.
Anzac Day is Australia’s most significant day and for me at The Dawn Service, we remember the fall, and later on the day, we thank veterans for their service, which I feel is important, because that Anzac legacy really shaped the country that we live in today,” the president said.
He said Townsville had a long, proud and special history with the county’s military.
“The 3rd Brigade soldiers were the first ashore at Gallipoli. And Townsville’s connection to Anzac Day is well established over the last 110 years. We’re the largest Garrison city in the country.”
On the day he said he would reflect on his service and the mates with whom he served.
“To me, it’s always about the characters that I spend time with on that service, particularly the guys who were no longer with us. That that’s something that I think about often - but particularly on Anzac Day.”
He encouraged as many in the community to help commemorate Anzac Day on the Strand, or Thuringowa or at other Dawn Services.
“If you haven’t done a Dawn Service before, once you do it, once you’ll get hooked and you want to do it again, because the atmosphere is certainly there.
“I know that people come to the parade. I know the veterans really, really appreciate it, and I can also see the enjoyment in the kids’ faces when they get to watch the veterans and all the vehicles go past,” he said.
Commanding Officer 3rd Brigade Brigadier Ben McLennan is giving the key note address at The Dawn Service at Anzac Park and he will also be taking the salute during the parade along the Strand.
The brigadier said Anzac Day was the most special day of the year for soldiers under his command for a number of reasons.
“The first is it’s an opportunity where the nation can honour those who’ve come before us, who’ve set the example and who have forged the life that we’re able to live in Australia today - it’s honouring the past,” he said.
“The other aspect of it, why they relish Anzac Day so much, is because they can relish the present with those they’re serving with, the teams that they’re part of, the people that they work with, people that they respect who are driven by purpose. They can really relish that opportunity to enjoy Anzac Day with those they serve with right now.
“The last reason is because they recognise that it’s an opportunity to commit to the future, and it’s committing to progressing their sense of purpose and their contribution to our nation moving forward for future Anzac Days, whether they’re in uniform or whether they’re a veteran.”
He said it was an honour to be giving the key note address and his speech would reflect the teamwork and mateship that had bonded those who serve and the community together in times of need.
“What it (Anzac Day) really means to me is the teamwork that our soldiers, our Army, our defence force, our community and our society, has displayed through World Wars, through other conflicts, and in peace time. We would call that teamwork mateship.
“It’s that makeshift that has been exemplified on the battlefield, on the home front, in places like Townsville that has made the nation what it is today. That’s what Anzac Day really means to me,” the brigadier said.
He was also very honoured to be taking the salute during the parade along the Strand.
“Being Townsville born and bred is being able to take the salute for the 1900 people of all ages, serving veterans and other people in our community, right down to the youngest of our community, commemorating and celebrating Anzac Day will be just an enormous privilege.”
Thuringowa RSL president Jeremy Browne said Anzac Day would be a big day personally to reflect on his services, as well as the service of his family.
“I am a third generation soldier, my father, both my grandfathers served, and one of my
grandfathers was actually a prisoner of a war. So it is a huge day for me to reflect on the huge sacrifice of myself and what my family has been through,” he said.
“I personally also think back on the brothers I lost in Afghanistan, the sacrifices all my family’s been through, especially my partner.”
He said Member for Herbert and veteran Phillip Thomson would be giving the key note address at the service where they were expecting a huge turnout.
“The weather’s been great and the rain’s gone away.”
The Anzac Day commemorations in the garrison city are a partnership between the Townsville City Council and the Townsville RSL and Thuringowa RSL. The Townsville service and parade will also be live streamed.
Commanding Officer of 16th Aviation Support Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Porada said his unit, while new, still felt the weight of ANZAC day as they prepare to continue their work inside and outside of the community.
“Already this year 16 ASB has supported the community through 16 Avn Bde’s response to the North Queensland floods and Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect on our connection to soldiers past and our present community as we step forwards into the future,” Lt. Col. Porada said.
“As we mark the 110th anniversary of Anzac Day, we are reminded of the values of bravery, resilience and mateship that continue to shape our identity as Australians.
“On 23 April, I sat with my daughter during her school Anzac Day Liturgy. At St. Patricks College, I witnessed firsthand the care, and emphasis placed by students and teachers in commemorating Anzac Day. Through the acknowledgement of Country, School Liturgy and broader service I felt and observed a strong connection between students, parents and teachers. “This connection highlights how the Anzac spirit is not confined to the battlefield but lives on in the community, present in acts of kindness, respect and support.
“My grandfather, who has now past, was a Kokoda veteran. He was a rock within our family, an example of right action, quiet words, and steady hands. After my official duties are complete I will spend my time reflecting on the memories I have with him, and how they can help me become the best version of myself, as father, Army Officer and Australian.”
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bremner, the commanding officer of 5th Aviation Regiment said the day remained an important moment for honouring not just past veterans, but those currently serving abroad.
“We have gathered since 1916 to reflect on the Gallipoli landing, to mark the anniversary of that significant action, and to appreciate the actions that illustrated values of courage, endurance, mateship, sacrifice and resilience. We share a commonality with those values and our national identity,” Lt. Col. Bremner said.
“Townsville is unique, it boasts the largest Army base in the country, an important Royal Australian Air Force base. There is an incredibly strong connection between the public and the Defence members, we are a real and long-standing part of the community, and as a result we reflect together. The community neighbourhoods all have soldiers, sailors and aviators living in them; and so the public has a close connection with those stories of courage and discipline to the service personnel they see every day. That strong community connection makes Anzac Day both personal, and very important.”
Flying operations will be conducted by 16th Aviation Brigade in support of ANZAC Day, while up to three Australian ARmy Chinooks from 5th Aviation Regiment will also be in operation.
“The community can expect increased aircraft movement and associated noise between 07:30 am to 10:00 am,” A defence spokesman said.
SERVICES
Anzac Day 2025 – Townsville City Service livestream
Anzac Day 2025 – Townsville City Parade livestream
•5:20am – Dawn Service, Thuringowa Cenotaph, Riverway Precinct
•8:30am – Parade form-up (Weir School carpark)
•9am – Parade step-off (Parade proceeds along Ross River Road into Riverway Precinct)
•9:30am – Mid-morning service, Thuringowa Cenotaph, Riverway Precinct
Townsville City Service
•5:20am – Dawn Service, Anzac Park Cenotaph
•8:15am – Parade form-up (Strand Park)
•9am – Parade step-off (Parade proceeds along The Strand to Anzac Memorial Park)
OTHER SERVICES
Dawn Service at Balgal Beach by the Rollingstone RSL.
3RAR has Anzac Day display at Townsville Shopping Centre.
Originally published as Anzac Day in Townsville: Services times and how the city will pay respect to soldiers past and present
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