What’s on for Anzac Day 2025 in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs

Anzac Day’s origin will be in focus as the community gathers to pay tribute to every soldier that answered the call to serve. Here’s where you can commemorate the occasion.

The Vigil is held by Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard during the Anzac Day mid-morning service at the Mothers' Memorial, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The local RSL subbranches and Toowoomba Regional Council are putting the final touches of their Anzac Day plans, with services to be held across our region.

Toowoomba’s ceremonies will start with the 5.30am Dawn Service at the Mothers’ Memorial, followed by wreath laying at 9am and a march down Margaret Street from 10am.

The mid-morning service will start at 10.20am, after which families are invited to the Goods Shed for refreshments and a game of two-up.

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald encouraged residents to join any of the services, to honour the lives of the fallen and the service of all past and present military personnel.

Leading the Toowoomba Caledonian Society Pipe Band are (from left) player Steve Rasmussen and Pipe Sergeant Rob Andrews at Goods Shed for the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch's Anzac Day celebration. April 25, 2024.

“Anzac Day is an important time to pause and pay respects to all servicemen and women across our region to honour the memory of everyone who has served our country and recognise the residents who continue to serve today,” he said.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the ill-fated Gallipoli landing.

For more than eight months, thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought an uphill battle against well-entrenched Turkish forces.

While the campaign proved a failure, it became a defining moment for the Australian and News Zealand armies.

Mr McDonald said while memorial services honoured the Gallipoli landing and subsequent campaign in Turkey in World War I, Anzac Day had become a broader national memorial day.

“These services are an important occasion for the city and region to formally remember and reflect on the sacrifice of past generations of servicemen and women from this area,” he said.

“Apart from honouring their selfless deeds, we must remember there is a new generation of men and women who recently have been involved in conflicts in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other military engagements.

“Australian personnel also remain on duty in peacekeeping and other operations around the world. We also thank the navy personnel who are serving on the HMAS Toowoomba (II).”