General News
20 April, 2023
Services new and old to mark Anzac Day
Preparations for local Anzac Day services are in full swing as large crowds are expected to commemorate the national day at services throughout the district on Tuesday. The second year Anzac Day services have been able to go ahead unrestricted since...
Preparations for local Anzac Day services are in full swing as large crowds are expected to commemorate the national day at services throughout the district on Tuesday.
The second year Anzac Day services have been able to go ahead unrestricted since the beginning of the pandemic, local RSL sub branches and organisers are eager to welcome sizeable crowds to the handful of local events.
Services will be returning to a number of local communities including Maryborough, Carisbrook, Majorca, Dunolly, Talbot, Bealiba and for the first time in a number of years, Rheola.
With over 400 people observing the Anzac march through High Street and some 300 attending the Dawn Service in Maryborough last year, Maryborough RSL sub branch vice president Ben Holscher said he’s expecting large crowds again.
“Judging from the interest we’ve had from people so far we are expecting some big crowds next week,” he said.
“Anzac Day means different things to different people, it brings a lot of emotion to locals and is important to the community.
“For me it’s very emotional and it brings up a lot of emotions in me. We’re only in April and I’ve been informed that a number of people from my old battalion have passed away already this year.
“To date it’s 30 people if not more who have since passed from my battalion and Anzac Day gets you thinking about those people you served with.”
Local RSL sub branch members have been out in force this week selling badges and commemorative items around town and member Lee Turton said funds raised continue to support veterans and their families.
“The whole idea is that money is used to support all veterans and their families and support is definitely important, particularly with the way things are with inflation and the cost of living at the moment,” he said.
“We will help people, even if it’s for something as trivial as a phone bill — not having to worry about something simple like that can make a big difference for people.”
Badges can be bought at newsXpress in High Street and the Chimney Cafe at the Goldfields Shopping Centre between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm through until Monday.
Maryborough’s Dawn Service will commence at 6 am next Tuesday, April 25 at McLandress Square (outside the Maryborough Post Office) before the mid-morning march commences at 10.30 am followed by a ceremony at McLandress Square from 10.45.
The High Street march will be led by current military personnel and veterans followed by family, emergency services, Scouts and Girl Guides, schools and non-veterans, with crowds asked not to congregate outside the Shell service station.
Dunolly will also host its Dawn Service and mid-morning march, followed by a commemorative service at the town’s RSL hall.
Dunolly/Bealiba RSL sub branch president Rick Gale said it was difficult to describe the meaning Anzac Day holds in the community.
“We are looking forward to holding our Anzac Day services,” he said.
“It’s very important to the community, it’s hard to put into words how much it means.
“Anzac Day is important in different aspects of people’s thoughts and reflections on the sacrifices that the diggers made as well as all the people who came home injured and the animals that were left behind.”
For the first time since regular services were held at the primary school in 1978, Rheola will once again mark Anzac Day with a service to be conducted by the Bridgewater-Inglewood RSL sub branch, and local resident and organiser Leesa Catto said it was important the event returned to the community.
“Anzac Day is important for the community and the country to recognise those people who have fought for us and there were a lot who did in our district,” she said.
“There’s a lot of Anzac spirit at Rheola and it’s important to honour and cherish that and at the same time, bring it forward for the next generation.
“COVID had a massive impact on events and we were able to have our Easter Charity Carnival last weekend for the first time since 2019, so we figured it was time to bring events like this back for our amazing community.”