Organising committee waiting on more detail before announcing Anzac Day march plans

The committee organising Toowoomba’s Anzac Day commemorations has welcomed the announcement the event will proceed as normal around the state.

The Toowoomba Anzac Day Planning Group – responsible for organising the Anzac Day march through the CBD – has welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement that 2021 commemorations can proceed as normal.

But group co-chair Lawrie Asgill said they were still waiting on more information before announcing plans for April 25.

Mr Asgill said the group wanted to proceed with the regular march through the CBD to the Mothers’ Memorial, but there was a lot of work to do and more detail to come from Queensland Health before making a decision.

“We’re very pleased restrictions have been lifted. It’s the greatest thing in the world; we didn’t want to go down the track of having restricted services,” he said.

“But we will see what comes out from Queensland Health.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said dawn services, marches and other commemorations could go ahead.

Outdoor events including dawn services will proceed without the need for check-in procedures.

Toowoomba Caledonian Pipe Band in the march to Citizens' Commemoration Service Anzac Day 2019, Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Indoor events, such at RSL Clubs, will require normal sign-ins.

The Premier said chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young was confident, should contact tracing be required, those attending services would step forward.

Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch president Scott May welcomed the news and said the sub branch had been working on a number of options to commemorate this year’s Anzac Day and make it more inclusive.

The Premier gave credit for the decision to proceed with services to Queensland’s success in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

“Every single Queenslander responded to the call to stop the spread of the virus,” the Premier said.

“That has allowed us to ease our restrictions further and faster throughout the pandemic.

“It means we can gather in our streets and at cenotaphs to mark the sacrifices of previous generations, serving men and women and their families.

“This freedom should be commemorated and never forgotten.

“I discussed Anzac Day with Dr Young, and she is fully supportive of allowing crowds back to mark this special day.”

The popular Light Up the Dawn initiative will continue.

RSL Queensland State President Tony Ferris applauded the decision.