Hundreds attend Kingaroy Dawn Service on Anzac Day
Huge crowds turned out to pay their respects at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Kingaroy despite cold and rainy conditions, with the ceremony featuring an inspiring nod to the next generation. SEE ALL THE PHOTOS:
South Burnett
Don't miss out on the headlines from South Burnett. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rain and cold conditions did little to dampen the spirits of Kingaroy residents, who turned out in their hundreds to pay respects at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Kingaroy.
With this year’s Anzac Day marking the first services in two years to have no Covid restrictions, attendees flocked to honour the nation’s veterans past and present.
Dozens of veterans marched to the cenotaph, and local cadets served as the catafalque party.
Among the crowd was a strong number of children, with many of the speakers at the service praising the young attendees.
Kingaroy State High School principal Dave Thomson spoke of how the lessons of the Anzacs continue to inspire the youth of the nation, and how the youngest generations still embody the Anzac spirit.
He told the crowd of schoolboy Walter Gamble who fought at Gallipoli and later in France, and of the letters he wrote home to his family.
“Today Walter’s letters highlight the Anzac lessons of endurance, courage, mateship, humour and ingenuity – which inspires the youth of today,” he said.
“How do I know this? I see it everyday at Kingaroy State High School and in every school that I’ve been in over the past 30 years.
“The lessons of the Anzacs are in every school, every class, and the Anzacs inspire the leaders of tomorrow and the lessons will always be remembered.”
Mr Thomson shared the words of one of his students, and what Anzac Day meant to them.
“I’ve been going to Dawn Service on Anzac Day for as long as I can remember,” the student wrote.
“Despite having very little connection to the Australian military, it’s one of my favourite things – I can’t imagine ever not going.
“I’ve never felt a greater sense of community, when you’re in that crowd suddenly everything else just goes away.”
See all the photos from the Dawn Service below:
More Coverage
Originally published as Hundreds attend Kingaroy Dawn Service on Anzac Day