ON a glorious Saturday morning in Townsville, over 25,000 people assembled for the Dawn Service held at ANZAC Park to show their support and admiration for the Australian and New Zealand defence personnel who have served and in 102,800 cases made the ultimate sacrifice in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations that the two nations have been involved in throughout history.
The solemn morning was marked by a strong commemorative theme highlighting the centenary anniversary of the ANZAC landing on Gallipoli.
After the record-breaking crowd settled into place at 5.30am, The St Margret Mary’s girls’ choir commenced the service with a stirring rendition of In Flanders Field which set the tone perfectly for the events to follow.
The Townsville RSL’s Mick Johnson acting as Master of Ceremonies welcomed all in attendance before introducing Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill who paid tribute to the ANZACS who served in our nation’s defence over the last 100 years.
She cited the bonds of mateship and honour formed under fire in World War I as defining elements in the shaping of our country.
“All were eager volunteers, young men eager to serve their country,” Mayor Hill said.
“Townsville soldiers were no different. Some 1100 men enlisted form a population at that time in Townsville of around 14,000,” she said.
Member for Herbert, Ewan Jones read a letter to the crowd from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, which pointed out that it was Townsville’s 3rd Brigade who first stepped foot on the shores of ANZAC Cove in Turkey on April 25, 1915, and that 750 from the brigade died in that first day of fighting.
This was followed by a heartfelt speech by Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Roger Noble, who said that in addition to the 750 3rd Brigade soldiers who lost their lives on that first day, a further 2000 were killed by the time the evacuation was completed.
He said that by the end of the campaign a combined 11,430 Australian and New Zealand soldiers had been killed in action.
“The blow was deep and affected everyone personally and changed the future of of our young nation and our approach to the world,” he said.
“I would like to say to the original ANZACS, your example to us has been a strength, a comfort, and guiding light. It has never been a burden.
“As of today, a total of 102,800 Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen have been killed in operations; it’s important that we remember all of them.”
He also acknowledged the bond that has formed between Australia and New Zealand through the various conflicts that in his words is “like few others”.
Click on the photo below for an image gallery from the Dawn Service in Townsville.
Ironically it was praise from German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel in a section of a letter to Adolf Hitler during World War II that truly illuminates the skill, determination and courage of the ANZAC’s.
The letter read ‘If I was to invade Hell, I’d use the Australians to attack it, and the New Zealanders to hold it.’
The ceremony came to a close with the customary laying of wreaths on the ANZAC Park Cenotaph by members of defence and the local community, which was followed by the breakfast at the RSL.
Click below for images from the city parade in Townsville.
The service was viewed by a further 2500 people via live broadcast at Jezzine Barracks, which in a reversal of past years was the end point of the City Parade later in the day which started at ANZAC Park and saw a further 40,000 people come The Strand to commemorate the actions of our heroes past and present.
