Beaudesert’s main streets will be filled with the sombre reflections of people honouring the Anzacs when the town has its first full Anzac Day parade and commemoration service since before the pandemic.
The Beaudesert RSL Sub-Branch is teaming up with the Scenic Rim Regional Council to bring back the main parade and service.
Anzac Day Back in Full Swing
For the first time since 2019, crowds will line Brisbane Street and William Street in broad daylight to pay their respects to the Anzacs on 25 April.
The commemorations will mark the 107th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli and also honour the service and sacrifice of defence personnel and their families since that time.
In a heartfelt display of keeping the Anzac spirit alive for future generations, younger veterans and female personnel will lead the parade through the centre of Beaudesert.
Forming up outside the Woolworths car park at 11am, current and ex-service men and women, families, groups and schools will march to the 11.30am service at the cenotaph.
Beaudesert will also quietly turn out at 4.20am for its cherished dawn service.
In the cool darkness before sunrise, eerie sounds of the didgeridoo by local Mununjali man Jared Fogarty will set the scene for a time of sombre reflection and retired milkman John Fisher will recite ‘Fallen Comrades’.
At both services, The Ode and one minute’s silence will be observed, bugler Thomas Todd will play the Last Post and the catafalque party will mount its guard around the cenotaph.
A-Choired Taste will perform at both services as well as the Gunfire Breakfast, singing the anthems and other songs including Finella Loch’s ‘We Will Remember’.
Beaudesert RSL Sub-Branch President Jon Forbe-Smith said gathering as a community was key to keeping the Anzac spirit alive and praised those who had worked behind the scenes.
“This would not be happening without Joanne Crocker – the Secretary of the Sub-Branch – and Christy Schloss from the Scenic Rim Regional Council,” he said.
Mr Forbe-Smith said younger veterans and families were the future and welcomed the recent addition of five younger veterans to the Sub-Branch.
One younger veteran is Travis Holt, 46, who served for 18 years including in Afghanistan.
The former Australian Army Captain (medically retired), who now lives at Veresdale Scrub, said Anzac Day was for everyone.
“You see everyone sharing a connection – the young kids wearing their grandfather or even great-grandfather’s medals, people just wanting to show their support,” he said.
“For 364 days of the year I walk down the street and I’m just a normal person, but Anzac Day is that one day of the year where you pause. I personally lost three mates in Afghanistan, and it’s a day for me to reflect on their loss.”
Anzac Day Services – 25 April
Beaudesert will welcome a full return to Anzac Day services on 25 April 2022. The dawn service will be at 4.20am at the cenotaph on the corner of William Street and Brisbane Street, followed by a gunfire breakfast at The Club.
The parade will form up at 11am on Brisbane Street outside the Woolworths car park and march to the cenotaph for an 11.30am service.
The main Beaudesert service and parade is being coordinated by the Scenic Rim Regional Council with assistance from the Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch ANZAC sub-committee.
For more information, phone the sub branch on 5541 3720.
The Rathdowney service will be at 8.15am at the memorial grounds.
The Kooralbyn Valley RSL Sub Branch are conducting two services on ANZAC Day, a Dawn Service at 5.30am and a Morning Service and March at 10am.
