Thousands gather at Anzac Day services across Cairns and Far North
Thousands of people have gathered at Anzac Day Services across Cairns and Far North Queensland to pay tribute to the men and women who have served in the nation’s defence forces.
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Thousands of people have gathered at Anzac Day Services across Cairns and Far North Queensland to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the nation’s defence forces.
HMAS Cairns Commanding Officer Andrew Thorpe emphasised the enduring legacy of the Anzac spirit in his commemorative address at the Cairns Esplanade Dawn Service.
“The Anzac Spirit, born from the fires of Gallipoli, continues to shape our identity as a nation and binds us together,” Commander Thorpe said.
“It lives within our schools, our workspaces and our communities reflected in the acts of kindness we show each other, in the respect we have for our fellow citizens and our collective responsibility to preserve our nation’s heritage.
“This anniversary serves as a reminder that although time has passed, the values that defined the Anzacs remain ever relevant as we face new and complex challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.”
The ceremony included wreath-laying at the cenotaph by various representatives from the defence forces, veteran organisations and the public service sector.
Far North politicians also laid wreaths, including Senator Nita Green, MPs Bree James and Michael Healy and Cairns Mayor Amy Eden.
The Cairns Dawn Service was followed by a Services March, where current and ex-servicemen and servicewomen marched along the Esplanade.
There were services and marches in eight locations across Cairns, including Edge Hill, Edmonton, Gordonvale, Babinda, Stratford, Yorkeys Knob and Trinity Beach.
Outside of Cairns, there were services at Atherton, Mareeba, Innisfail, Malanda, Port Douglas and Mossman.
Veteran Bob Dylan, who served in Malaysia and Borneo from 1965 to 1966, said Anzac Day “meant everything” to him.
“It is a day to remember my time (serving) and the mates that I’ve lost,” he said.
“It’s a special day to remember them, but it doesn’t have to be a special day – it’s every day.”
Veteran Marjorie Earl, president of the Cairns and District Ex-Servicewomen RSL Sub Branch, said each Anzac Day she thought of her relatives, who served in both World Wars, and one relative in particular who lost his life at just 21-years-old.
“He came down to Cairns to enlist, went overseas, and never got to see anything else,” Ms Earl said.
“Never got to live a life, never got anything.”
Ms Earl also reflected on the comradeship she had gained from being involved in the Ex-Servicewomen Sub Branch, saying the organisation provided her with “like-minded women” she could talk to about her experiences.
“I was a reservist, but we still had experiences that you can’t talk about to civilians because they just don’t understand,” she said.
Another member from the sub-branch, Roz Fenton, was in attendance at the Cairns Dawn Service.
She is a navy veteran who served for 16 years as a combat system supervisor specialising in below-water warfare.
“I’m very proud of our service, and really proud to be here today,” Ms Fenston said.
She joined the Sub Branch in 2024, and shared a similar sentiment about being involved in the organisation.
“I would go to an Anzac Day march, and I would have people ask me if they were my medals or not,” she said.
“So, to be recognised and acknowledged for my service, and not have to justify being a woman in uniform, it’s really good.”
Veteran and former Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, who spent three years as a national servicemen and served in Vietnam, said it was important the Anzac legacy lived on in future generations, and was pleased to see the presence of the younger generations at the Dawn Service.
“It’s great to see so many kids here this morning,” he said.
“It means a lot. Anzac Day means a lot to everyone.”
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Originally published as Thousands gather at Anzac Day services across Cairns and Far North
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