Close to 6000 people congregated around at Anzac Park on The Strand, in Townsville for Monday’s Anzac Day dawn service.
Onlookers solemnly showed their appreciation and admiration during the 101st commemoration for the Australian and New Zealand defence personnel who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts the nation’s have been involved in since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
RAAF Townsville Wing Commander Matthew Harvey summed up the point of the morning service perfectly.
“It isn’t about glorifying war, it’s to carry on the legacy of those who served and gave their lives in conflicts to ensure the quality of life we have today,” he said.
The St Margaret Mary's College Bella Voce choir sang beautifully in the morning, stirring emotions with their renditions of In Flanders Fields and Advance Australia Fair.
The Anglican Diocese of North Queensland’s Bishop Bill Ray led those in attendance in reciting The Lord’s Prayer, which was proceeded by a wreath laying ceremony on the Anzac Park cenotaph.
A lone bugler played the Last Post which led to a minute’s silence giving those attendance time to reflect on the deeds of the Anzacs through the years, which was punctuated by the playing of Reveille to conclude the morning ceremony.
After the official activities had concluded all in attendance were invited to join veterans and current service men and women at the gun fire breakfast held at the Townsville RSL.
The local branches of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Vietnam Veterans Federation melded on the day to mark the commemoration.
The Returned and Services League also commemorated its centenary since formation this year and RSL Townsville president Bill Whitburn (OAM) said it provided a chance to assess the services that veterans' organisations provided to the community.
He said the day provided an opportunity to remember those that never returned home while fighting overseas as well as the personnel currently conducting their duties in service of their nation all across the globe.
“We hope and pray that they return to safely to their families and loved ones,” Mr Whitburn said.
Later in the morning close to 10,000 people lined the streets from Anzac Park to Jezzine Barracks via Strand Park for the Anzac Day parade.
The parade which comprised well over a thousand people was led by the 27th Light Horse Association's Charles “Bushy” Joyner with a procession of regular military units, veterans and all returned-services personnel and organisations, community groups, school groups and emergency services personnel following on during the three kilometer trek.
Dawn services and parades were held in other areas on the day across Townsville, including Thuringowa, Magnetic Island and Rollingstone and Black River.
Member For Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the Thuringowa dawn service and march had also been very well attended.
“It was great to see such fantastic support from so many who took some time today to show their respects for our Australian Defence Force members and allied services,” Cr Harper said.
