Fallen Douglas Shire soldiers to get special tribute at Port Douglas Anzac Day service
A Far North fish and chip shop and a community men’s shed will collaborate at this year’s Anzac Day ceremony to remember fallen soldiers lost across three wars.
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A FAR North fish and chip shop and a community Men’s Shed are working together to create a touching tribute to 66 fallen soldiers lost as part of this year’s Anzac Day ceremony in Port Douglas.
Mossman RSL secretary Wally Gray said he had been left heartened by the willingness of the Douglas Shire community to “find special ways” to honour the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
The Newell Beach Takeaway team and the Mossman Men’s Shed members have been busy making 66 white timber crosses etched with the names of fallen servicemen from the Douglas Shire who fought in World War I, World War II and Vietnam.
The crosses will be placed at the Port Douglas cenotaph by Mossman State High School students – a touching gesture that will become an annual tradition at the community’s Anzac Day service.
An extra cross will be laid at the cenotaph to represent soldiers whose deaths were not recorded.
“It’s a brilliant idea and it’s great the community is able to find special ways to honour our fallen, not just the RSL,” Mr Gray said.
“The Newell Beach Takeaway came up with the suggestion, we found the materials that were donated to us, and the Men’s Shed got to work and made them.
“It’s terrific.”
The Newell fish and chip shop, north of Mossman, also donated funds to start the project, and names have been etched into plaques on each cross by local engraver Janet Goodall.
Mr Gray said the crosses were a fitting way to commemorate “the mateship, courage and sacrifice of our brave Anzac soldiers”.
The Daintree Ferry will run from 4am on Anzac Day to accommodate ferry users who wish to attend dawn services in Cow Bay, Mossman and Port Douglas.
Mr Gray said he was expecting bigger crowds at the services this year after “Covid challenges of the last two”.
“For those who can’t make the dawn services, we’ve also got battery-operated candles that can be bought and placed in driveways,” he said.
Representatives from the Royal Australian Navy will attend the Port Douglas and Mossman services.
Anzac Day services
Mossman
Where: Mossman cenotaph, Front St.
Time: 5.15am, official proceedings from 5.25am.
Port Douglas
Where: To march, meet at Port Village Shopping Centre on Macrossan St.
Time: From 10am, official proceedings from 10.30am at the cenotaph.
Cow Bay
Where: My Pathways carpark (1475 Cape Tribulation Rd) to march towards the cenotaph.
Time: 4.35am
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Originally published as Fallen Douglas Shire soldiers to get special tribute at Port Douglas Anzac Day service
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