Toowoomba Anzac Day photos: City commemorates those who served at multiple events
Toowoomba region residents have commemorated Anzac Day at multiple events across the city, from the Dawn Service to energetic games of two-up. See all the photos here.
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As thousands commemorated our servicemen and women, past and present, on Anzac Day, one veteran has reflected on his 20 years of service.
William “Bill” Dunn was 28 in 1962 when he enlisted in the Australian Army, hoping to learn a trade and secure employment.
“You couldn’t get a trade as an adult,” he said.
“The unions wouldn’t allow it, so I joined the army to learn a trade.”
Mr Dunn, who was educated as an electrician in the army, this year rode in an army jeep in the Toowoomba Anzac Day parade and was met with standing applause from the crowds.
“As a nine or 10-year-old, I used to watch these jeeps, because they were serviced by the father of my best friend in Brisbane,” he said.
“They used to use Teneriffe as a testing run for the jeeps, and I used to sit on a garden wall and watch them drive up and change gears.”
Mr Dunn served in the 7 Signal Regiment at Cabarlah and spent just over one year in Vietnam.
“Coming back on R and R from Vietnam, we had to wear civilian clothes,” he said.
“We would disembark from the aeroplanes on the far side of the aerodrome so we wouldn’t come into contact with the civilians.
“It was different times, but it shouldn’t be an issue now.”
Since the early 1960s, Mr Dunn has called Toowoomba home, where he would later raise a family.
Yesterday, he was one of many veteran of all ages to wear their medals proudly on their chest, wave to the generations they swore to protect, and pay homage to their mates of all decades who signed on the dotted line for their country.
Meanwhile, New Zealand veteran Eseta Aupaau placed a special wreath at the Toowoomba Mothers’ Memorial in honour of New Zealand warriors.
“I have been going to Anzac parades for 22 years, and I was here in Toowoomba last year as well,” she said.
“I put a lot of thought into the wreath, more time than actually putting it together,” Ms Aupaau said.
“The wreath is to represent the fallen soldiers of New Zealand.”
Ms Aupaau previously served as a Limited Service Volunteer with the New Zealand Army, joining straight out of high school.
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