Beaudesert locals young and old have honoured the ANZACs in moving tributes across the township.
The town’s dawn service was sombre and evocative as ever as people turned out quietly in the darkness to remember.
The catafalque party kept guard as Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch President Ian Johnson led the service and Mununjali man Jarred Fogarty played didgeridoo.
A Choired Taste sung an ANZAC version of ‘I Am Australian’, the New Zealand and Australian national anthems, The Venerable David Lunniss led the prayer, John Fisher recited his iconic poem, ‘Fallen Comrades’, piper Aileen Cooper accompanied the wreath laying and bugler Thomas Todd played the Last Post and Reveille.
Beaudesert’s main commemoration service and street parade, which the Sub Branch hosts with Scenic Rim Regional Council, was a rousing tribute to the ANZACS.
Ex-service and serving men and women and other organisations marched down the middle of town, the Beaudesert State High School Instrumental Ensemble played and there was significant involvement from local school students.
Aside from Beaudesert’s well-attended dawn ceremony and commemoration service and street parade, the Sub Branch organised and supported a host of activities in remembrance, including the Rathdowney ANZAC Day service.
The Women’s Auxiliary raised more than $3000 in the lead-up to ANZAC Day by selling badges outside local supermarkets and also raised funds via two-up at the Gunfire Breakfast and by selling poppies at the Beaudesert Races.
In what is always a busy time for local veterans, Sub Branch members visited local schools and nursing homes for their services leading up to ANZAC Day.
On April 22, members supported school ANZAC services at Beaudesert High, St Mary’s, McAuley College and Beaudesert, Veresdale, Woodhill, Gleneagle, Hillview, Darlington, Tamrookum and Rathdowney state schools.
On April 24, they visited Wongaburra, Whiddon and Jymbilung nursing homes and services to spend time with the veterans and war widows for morning tea and a small service and also supported ANZAC services at Flagstone State School and Flagstone State Community College.
The Sub Branch also honoured the ANZACS by hosting an invite only lunch for members and their families at The Club after the service.
