Currumbin, Southport, Surfers Paradise and Upper Coomera Anzac Day Services on the Gold Coast
As the sky lit up orange for sunrise, thousands of people have come together across the Gold Coast to commemorate and pay respects to the ANZACs. Read the coverage from services across the city
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As the sky lit up orange for sunrise, thousands of people have come together across the Gold Coast to commemorate and pay respects to the ANZACs.
MID-MORNING SERVICES
UPPER COOMERA
Veterans, community leaders and hundreds of schoolchildren were among thousands who marched to the cenotaph at Upper Coomera for an Anzac Day service.
Also among the large crowd was Forde MP Bert van Manen, member for Theodore Mark Boothman, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Division 2 councillor Naomi Fowler.
It was the last service to take place at the historic Upper Coomera cenotaph before it is moved from its Tamorine Oxenford Rd location to a new home at nearby Tallowwood Park. The move is to make way for a road safety upgrade.
“It’s a very special today because it’s the last one after a very long period of time,” Cr Gates said.
“It’s a sensitive issue, moving the cenotaph, but there’s been strong community consultation, and consultation with the community custodians, the Rotary Club of Coomera Valley.
“And I think we’ve found a site that’s befitting of the significance of our memorial.”
The service was one of a number of well-attended services across the northern Gold Coast, including a Dawn Service in Helensvale that was attended by many thousands of people.
“It’s a wonderful day, a solemn day, a day that we need to pause and reflect on the contribution of our war heroes,” Cr Gates said.
“And those still actively serving so that we may live the life that we have today and enjoy the freedoms that we have.”
The names of local people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice were read out at the service, including Trooper David ‘Poppy’ Pearce, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
Tribute was also paid to Australian military and police personnel currently serving overseas.
Among the veterans in attendance was Keith Areneman, who served in World War II. The 101-year-old was joined by several generations of his family, right down to one-year-old great great granddaughter Saskia.
His great grandaughter Jamine, an Assisi Catholic College student, was among the many schoolchildren to lay wreaths at the cenotaph – most of which they had made themselves.
Mr Arneman said he was especially pleased to see so many young people taking part.
“It’s wonderful to see,” he said. “That’s the most schoolchildren I have seen (at an Anzac Day service). And so many were laying wreaths too.
“That’s a great sign – the teachers must be doing their job well.”
Gordon Johnstone, a 25-year veteran of the air force, also said it was “great” to see how many children and parents had turned out to show their support.
Also in attendance was Vietnam veteran and local resident Don ‘Poppy Don’ Berry, who was recently released from hospital after surgery.
Mr Berry, who lost a number of mates in Vietnam, said it was very important to remember all those who did not make it home.
“For me it’s very important to remember those who have given their lives before us, especially the Anzacs at Gallipoli and New Guinea. New Guinea probably saved us from the Japanese,” he said.
“ ... (In Vietnam) there were four of us in the base camp tent and I was the only one to come out of it and came back unfortunately.
“On Anzac Day I remember the friends, the mates, that didn’t come back.”
Mr Berry said it was also important to remember the sacrifice made by servicemen, but also the wives, girlfriends and other family members that supported them while they were overseas.
“On Anzac Day I also think of the ones that are still serving,” he said, “and how lucky we all are to be able to be here”.
Pastor Neil Johnson, who has been attending the Upper Coomera cermony for about 25 years, said its heritage and ”Australian ethos” made it extremely special.
“It shapes the values of the next generation to understand the value of looking to the past and understanding the bravery of those who shaped our national ethos,” he said.
Cr Fowler said the importance of the Upper Coomera centoph’s heritage to the community would be respected in its move to the new location.
“I think the monument means a lot to the community. I think the new proposed location is going to be beautiful,” she said.
“The part that I really love about the new concept is that it is in a garden setting which means people will be able to pay their respects year round.
“There will also be seating, which I think will be a really beautiful thing.”
SOUTHPORT SERVICE
Hundreds more people including Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate and local politicians have gathered at Broadwater Parklands for the second Anzac Day service including packs of students from a number of Gold Coast schools.
Students from St Hilda’s and The Southport School have lined the rolling hills alongside battalions of army officers.
Gold Coast City Brass Band performed throughout the procession as it headed towards the Anzac memorial at Broadwater Parklands.
Speaking at the ceremony alongside Councillor Brooke Patterson for the citizen’s commitment, Mayor Tate said: “Across innumerable locations throughout our state today, we Queenslanders are joining together to acknowledge with profound gratitude, the great sacrifice of those who have fought in armed conflicts.”
“This meeting reaffirms his admiration of the magnificent heroism, self sacrifice and endurance of the sailors. soldiers, airmen and nursing assistants of Australia and New Zealand.”
Mr Tate said Anzac Day ceremonies not only commemorate the sacrifices made in 1915, but in all conflicts thereafter “in the cause of liberty”.
“As well as peacekeeping forces on humanitarian missions, and every other place around the globe and the fight against terrorism, (that) take our servicemen and servicewomen,” he added.
Among the crowd, Southport member Rob Molhoek returned for the second ceremony of the day.
Mr Molhoek said: “The Southport ceremony is particularly special for me because I grew up in Southport and I marched in the scouts with my school and with my father back in the 60s and 70s.”
“I come out every year on Anzac Day just to pay homage to those that have gone before us.”
However Mr Molhoek said after suffering a stroke earlier this year, he feared he wouldn’t have been able to attend the ceremony today.
“I thought it would be a bit of a challenge to come this morning and there has been, but it’s important (for me to be here) nonetheless,” he said.
Mr Molhoek said he was proud to see such a large turn out of students at the ceremony.
“It’s good to see that young people still respect the importance of Anzac Day,” he added.
The large crowds and strong youth contingent were also a standout for Armoured Corp National Servie veteran Barrie Cushway and veteran Army medic Stephen Smith.
The pair said Anzac Day was an opportunity for them to connect with old friends and fellow veterans who wanted to share their experiences.
“It’s a real (coming) together and I think people are becoming more sensible to this important day,” Mr Cushway said.
“I think the younger generations are getting more interested - at schools particularly, they’re being tutored - and I think the word is spreading.”
DAWN SERVICES
CURRUMBIN DAWN SERVICE
Thousands of people have gathered at Currumbin’s Elephant rock for this year’s Anzac Day Dawn Services.
The Currumbin RSL Dawn Service, the Gold Coast’s largest, was the annual commemoration and acknowledgment of all men and women who have served in all wars, conflicts, peacekeeping missions and those still serving today.
Currumbin Palm Beach RSL Sub-Branch President Michael Humphreys opened the ceremony outlining the World War II and Anzac Day history.
“(Australia) was deeply connected to the geopolitical affairs of the time,” he said.
“Australia like the rest of the British Empire found themselves thrust into war.
“Australia’s response to the outbreak of war was swift and committed.
“By the end of 1914, Australia troops had already set sail for the shores.
“Over the course of the war, more than 330,000 would serve overseas and tragically over 60,000 lives were lost.”
The service at Currumbin included the Burial at Sea where surf boats were launched into the sea, spreading ashes of servicemen and women who have passed within the past year.
“A fitting way to pay our respects while honouring and remembering their sacrifices,” a Currumbin RSL statement said.
Palm Beach Currumbin High School, school captains Emma Suttle and Zane With said the Anzacs mateship “inspired” them and their generation.
“On this day we remember the souls who worked tirelessly to give us a better life,” Mr With said.
SURFERS PARADISE DAWN SERVICE
Thousands of all ages have packed into the Surfers Paradise beachfront at its Esplanade war memorial to mark the Anzac Day dawn and World War I landings at Gallipoli.
A crowd had been building since 4am for the annual service in the heart of the Glitter Strip.
A dawn march arrival of veterans and services snaked down the Esplanade past the Cavill Mall beachfront entrance, arriving at 5am.
Master of Ceremonies and Surfers Paradise RSL Club treasurer Charles Wright AM began: “Today with Australians everywhere we gather to remember Australians who have served Australia.
“We salute the commitment to an unbroken line of duty that began tens of thousands of years ago and continues until today.
“Will those who can, please stand.”
Guest speaker Major John Duncan Thurgar OAM – a former navy, Army and SAS veteran who served in Vietnam – said the Anzac Dawn was about recognising the 100,000 Australian servicemen and women as well as those who fought on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 more than 100 years ago.
“It was a day of confusion, mostly because of the inexperience of the officers. One soldier called it a day of sorrow as he remembered the dead and wounded.”
Veterans, dignitaries and members of the public laid wreaths in respect for the fallen.
The Last Post – by bugler Dr Richard Thompson of the Gold Coast City Brass Band – rang out in the cool morning air as the crowd listened on in stoic silence.
The assembled, just down from the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club under the Australian and New Zealand flags, bowed their heads in unison for a minute’s silence before Dr Thompson played The Reveille.
As dawn broke the New Zealand and Australian national anthems were played before Mr Wright concluded proceedings by inviting those assembled to a midday ceremony at the Surfers Paradise Cavill Ave memorial outside the Diggers RSL club.
“All I ask today is you walk up to women or men who are veterans and all you have to say is thank you for your service,” Mr Wright said.
Gold Coast-based police Inspector Jim Munckton, in attendance with Surfers Paradise station boss Senior Sergeant Brad Rix, said: “From our perspective we are community minded individuals much like the people who served and we are here to support the members of the armed services and veterans and members of the community.
“There are a lot of emotions, especially when you have the dawn coming up in the background – you try and cast your mind back to what it must have been like for them (at Gallipoli) and what they must have been going through, how brave those individuals were and also how brave others are today,” Inspector Munckton said.
It is estimated more than 5000 turned out for the Surfers Paradise beachfront service.
Major Thurgar, speaking after, said what goes through his mind during the service and minute’s silence is “unfortunately - the faces of my former comrades and friends. And I recall funny things they have said or done, it’s all very personal.
“Honestly for me every day is an Anzac Day. As you get older you think of places, people, events. Not just servicemen and women but all the civilians impacted by war.
“Just the heartbreak that goes with it. I know many peacekeepers are very upset by what’s happening in the Middle East at the moment. Our hearts go out to all those people just stuck in middle. I must say…having been in the Middle East, many times over many years the people are so hospitable. The poorest of the poor would always invite you into their homes and even if they had nothing to offer you except orange peel soaked in water and sugar and a cup of tea they would offer it to you.”
Major Thurgar, instrumental in a 60-year Vietnam War anniversary event called the Vietnam Veterans Vigil which encouraged people to visit the grave sites of the fallen, said: “It’s a life lost, all these blokes and often we think of what would they have done, what would they have achieved, who would they have married, would they have had children. It’s a life lost, cut short, and the families never recover. How would you feel if you lost your only son?”
At a special midday service at the Cavill Ave memorial, the special guest speaker will be former Deputy Prime Minister and MP Barnaby Joyce.
SOUTHPORT DAWN SERVICE
Hundreds have gathered at Broadwater Parklands for the Anzac Day Dawn Service.
Master of Ceremonies, president of the Southport RSL Sub Branch John Riebeling, opened the ceremony with a solemn reminder.
“We meet not to glorify war but to sincerely remember those who have sacrificed for and served their country in times of conflict and crisis,” Mr Riebeling said.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Riebeling said the service was important especially for younger generations.
“To remember and be grateful for what we have, we need to have these ceremonies,” he said.
“Because let’s face it, there’s a lot of soldiers, sailors, airmen, a lot of all passed now from those were wars gone Second World War mostly gone.”
Mr Riebeling said he was incredibly proud to see a large turn out for The Dawn Service.
“We’ve had large services in the past, but this today was magic.”
“Everyone that is serving deserves to be recognised in this ceremony.”
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Robinson addressed the crown at Southport and delivered the Anzac Requiem.
“On this day above all days, we recall those who served in war and who did not return to receive the grateful things of a nation,” he said.
“We also remember those who returned suffering not only physical wounds, but also the deep mental trauma of war.
“We remember those who still sleep where they were left on the scrub and the rivers and valleys of Gallipoli, on the rocky and terraced hills of Palestine and in the cemeteries of France.”
“Especially do we remember those who died as prisoners of war.”
Former Veteran Don Ferguson held the New Zealand flag at the head of the march.
Mr Ferguson served in the New Zealand Army for 22 years after joining as a young man in 1958.
“Anzac Day is about respect,” Mr Ferguson said.
Last year veterans marched at dawn despite efforts to shut it down.
“We haven’t learned the lesson,” Mr Ferguson said.
“These marches are about respecting the lessons (of war). We had a few smaller battles since then and we still haven’t learned the lesson.”
Veterans, local Gold Coast councillors, politicians and community leaders laid wreaths at the base of the Southport memorial statue.
Rob Mulhoek, Brooke Patterson, Samantha Delmege and a representative for Angie Bell were among the crowd, paying their respects.
Southport RSL Sub Branch director Craig Thomas delivered the Ode of Remembrance commemorating the ANZACs ahead of The Last Post.
Crowds stood still as Gold Coast City Brass Band member Joshua Stafford performed the Last Post, ushering the new dawn.
SEE THE FULL GUIDE ON WHERE TO SEE SERVICES ON THE GOLD COAST
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Originally published as Currumbin, Southport, Surfers Paradise and Upper Coomera Anzac Day Services on the Gold Coast
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