Toowoomba Dawn Service: Thousands honour soldier’s sacrifice | Photos

Thousands of people from across Toowoomba have honoured soldiers past and present at the Mothers’ Memorial Dawn Service. See all the photos here.

As for most Australians on April 25, Anzac Day holds a special place in the hearts of the Fairleigh family.

Cathy Fairleigh and her daughter Belinda Redman laid a wreath at the Mothers’ Memorial in Toowoomba following the Dawn Service in honour of their husband and father Garry Fairleigh, a 20-year army veteran.

“We’ve done it every year since Garry got out of the army 24 years ago,” Mrs Fairleigh said .

“It’s a special day for us and we all attend the Anzac Day service wherever we are.”

Cathy Fairleigh and daughter Belinda Redman after laying a wreath in honour of their late husband and father 20 year Army vet Garry Fairleigh at the conclusion of the Anzac Day Toowoomba dawn service at the Mothers' Memorial, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mrs Fairleigh met her husband Garry through the army when he was doing his apprenticeship with the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the early 1970s.

“My brother Tony was an apprentice with Garry and he introduced us,” Mrs Fairleigh said.

“We have three daughters and 11 grandchildren.”

Mr Fairleigh sadly passed away in December 2021 after being diagnosed with melanoma.

“Anzac Day for us is a special day as it’s recognition of the 20 years Garry served,” Mrs Fairleigh said.

The Fairleigh family was among thousands of Toowoomba residents who attended the yearly Dawn Service service, which recognises the contribution of our military servicemen and women.

Gordon Seymour wears his dad's Barney Seymour's WWII medals at the Mothers' Memorial at the conclusion of the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba Grammar School students form the guard at Mothers' Memorial during the Toowoomba Anzac Day Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service at the Mothers' Memorial, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rain failed to deter residents from paying their respects at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The vigil is held by students of the Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Cathy Fairleigh lays a wreath in honour of her late husband 20 year Army vet Garry Fairleigh at the conclusion of the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service at the Mothers' Memorial, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service at the Mothers' Memorial, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The pre-dawn march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The vigil is held by students of the Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Damien Tuffield and his father Derek Tuffield are ready to march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service at the Mothers' Memorial, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Past Legacy president Dave Melandri catches up with Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) mates at the bus interchange before the march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rain failed to deter residents from paying their respects at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ex-navy serviceman Daniel Sullivan and his father ex-Army serviceman Russell Sullivan prepare for a wet march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jason Hurst (centre) in the pre-dawn march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Torch is carried along Margaret St in the pre-dawn by Joshua Hawkins with kids Arianna Riwoe and Harlin Hawkins on the march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Torch is carried along Margaret St in the pre-dawn by Joshua Hawkins with daughter Arianna Riwoe on the march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The changing of the Guard by students of the Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ex-navy serviceman Daniel Sullivan and his father ex-Army serviceman Russell Sullivan prepare for a wet march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The vigil is held by students of the Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard at the Mothers' Memorial for the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Damien Tuffield and his father Derek Tuffield are ready to march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Commandant Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey Colonel David Lynch gives the main address at the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The pre-dawn march to the Anzac Day Toowoomba Dawn Service, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer