NORTH Queensland’s oldest war veterans took pride of place at this year’s Anzac Day march leading the spirited parade along the Strand at Townsville.
Thousands of people braved the overcast conditions in the spectacle of the marching bands, the proud servicemen and the older veterans who played up to the crowd waving regally from the back of vehicles.
The annual march, which stepped off from Strand Park at 9:30am, included serving and retired members of the military as well as representatives from over 80 community organisations including ex-service groups and students from 33 schools.
Saint Margaret Marys School Captain Tyla Leo said being able to march at the Strand meant being able to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We have a large portion of our girls out here today celebrating the spirit of ANZAC, with many of them wearing medals of their fallen relatives,” she said.
“It’s nice for us as a school community to give a little bit of our time to show our appreciation to the men and women who have served our country.”
As Australia commemorated 100 years since the beginning of World War I, council hosted one of the biggest parades Townsville had ever seen with numbers surpassing last year’s bumper crowd.
Mayor Jenny Hill said Anzac Day held special significance for many families because of Townsville’s role as a garrison city.
“Over 40 per cent of Townsville’s population enlisted in World War I, therefore change was inevitable for our community,” she said.
“The loss of local youth and men was an everlasting tragedy to our region.”
“With our rich military history, Anzac Day is an especially important time for Townsville to reflect on the great sacrifices our soldiers have made for our nation in the past and present.”
Next year will commemorate 100 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli with Anzac celebrations expected to be the biggest yet.
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Prior to the parade record crowds also paid their respects at this year’s Anzac Day dawn service with council predicting over 10,000 people in attendance.
Community organisations and leaders commemorated fallen military personal marching a path lined by children to lay their wreaths.
Townsville’s First Battalion Brigadier Neil Weekes, who served in Vietnam, said this years’ service highlighted those who fought and lost their lives for our country.
“One in three men were killed or wounded in World War I which is a significant number in comparison to those who serve our nation today,” he said.
“The Anzac’s and their families were forced to overcome confronting personal challenges.”
The bugler stood with the sun rising behind him, with the light revealing the thousands of people who packed the park and surrounding streets.
Many attended the RSL breakfast that followed the morning’s dawn service.
