Crowds gathered across Queensland on ANZAC Day to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices made by defense personnel for Australia.
At Currumbin, surf boats performed a burial at sea, while a large crowd paid their respects at the dawn service atop Elephant Rock. The flags were at half mast to recognize the contributions of almost 1.5 million Australians who have served and fought for the country.
In Brisbane city, hundreds gathered as early as 3.30am before Governor Jeanette Young laid a wreath commemorating the 16,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who landed on the shores of Gallipoli at dawn 109 years ago. By the time the service had concluded, between 12,000 and 15,000 people had attended Anzac Square in the city’s CBD.
Former and current ADF personnel marched through the city between 9.45am and 12.30pm in the annual Anzac Day parade. Major General Stephen Day, who served in the Australian armed forces for 40 years, said April 25 marks a solemn moment of reflection for those who gave freely of themselves for their country.
“So that their families, their mates and their mates’ families can live in a land that was free and fair,” he said.
Maj Gen Day is the state president of the Returned and Services League of Queensland. He said there will be over 450 events hosted by RSLs across the state on Thursday – an increase of 4 per cent from 2023. One particular event will commemorate a game of cricket played on the Shell Green by the Anzacs on the Gallipoli Peninsula that sought to distract the Turks from the imminent departure of allied troops.
Maj Gen Day said the defense community is incredibly grateful for continued support of the nation’s veterans on what can be a challenging day for current and former service men and women.
“War transports you to the darkest corner of human activity. You see and will be involved in unspeakably difficult events,” he said.
“When you’ve been involved in the killing of other humans, your soul takes on a black stain, which might fade, but it never goes.
“Anzac Day reminds us of those who have been to war, have those experiences and think of those we’ve lost.
“They say that soldiers die twice; once when you’re physically killed and then again if people stop saying your name.”
