July 10, 2013
Wondai’s Reserve Forces Day always attracts visitors from all over south-east Queensland, and the two-day celebration last weekend was no exception.
On Saturday, the former Diggers enjoyed social bowls at Wondai Golf and Bowls Club followed by a meet’n’greet at the Hotel Cecil.
Then on Sunday morning, they gathered at the Cenotaph in front of Wondai Memorial Hall for a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony.
This was followed by a parade from near the Post Office at 11:00am, a memorial service in Coronation Park led by Padre Vic Chapman, and a post-parade get-together at the Wondai Diggers Club.
Reserve Forces Day commemorates the two million Australian men and women who have served in the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserves since 1948, as well as the many thousands who have served in the CMF and other volunteer formations over the years.
The theme for this year’s event was “Twice The Citizen”.
Wondai is the smallest centre in Australia to hold a Reserve Forces Day parade, but it makes sense as the town also hosts the 25/49 Royal Queensland Regiment which includes an enhanced Reserve unit.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, deputising for Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, was a special guest at this year’s event, along with South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann, SBRC Division 5 councillor Kathy Duff and representatives from the armed services.
