Anzac Day

Today is Anzac Day, the day when the nation pauses to remember the sacrifices of thousands of Australians who have fought in conflicts all over the world. Most South Burnett businesses will either be closed completely today or operating on restricted hours (ie. from noon onwards) as a mark of respect.

Anzac Day commemoration services will be held throughout the region from 4:28am onwards: the same time the original ANZACs began their assault on the beaches of Gallipoli 111 years ago.

Here's where they'll be held:

• Bell - Dawn Service at 6:00am in Anzac Memorial Park, Dennis Street, followed by a community breakfast hosted by the Bell RSL Sub-Branch in Ensor Street.

• Blackbutt - Pre-dawn nips at the RSL at 4:00am followed by the Dawn Service at 4:28am at the Cenotaph and a gunfire breakfast at the RSL club at 5:30am. The march from Muir Street to the memorial steps off at 10:45am (assemble at the RSL at 10:30am) followed by a commemoration service at 11:00am. A sausage sizzle and refreshments will be available at the RSL from noon. Two-up will be played at the Hotel Radnor from 2:00pm.

• Boondooma - A wreath-laying service will be held at the historic Boondooma Homestead, 8262 Mundubbera-Durong Road, from 10:00am, followed by a camp oven lunch and light entertainment.

• Bunya Mountains - A commemoration service will be held from 8:00am, opposite the National Park Office in Bunya Avenue, Dandabah. NB. This section of Bunya Avenue will be closed from 7:00am to 10:00am and through traffic will be diverted behind the closed-off area through the National Park's access road and car park.

• Cherbourg - Fall in for the parade at 7:40am in Barambah Avenue; the parade will be followed by a Commemoration Service from 8:00am at the memorial in Memorial Park.

• Cooyar - A march will begin at 10:00am at the Cooyar Memorial Hall and proceed to the memorial at Anzac Place in Munro Street (New England Highway) from 9:45am.

• Hivesville - A Dawn Service will be held at 5:30am at the memorial in Memorial Park (opposite the hotel), followed by breakfast.

• Goomeri - There will be a Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at 5:00am followed by a commemorative service at 10:00am.

• Kaimkillenbun - A commemoration service will be held from 8:30am at Cumkillenbar Park, Isabelle Street, followed by a free community morning tea.

• Kilkivan - A Dawn Service will be held from 5:30am in RSL Park, followed by breakfast in Kilkivan Hall. There will be a march down Bligh Street from 10:30am from RSL Park to Lions Park where a commemoration service will be held at 11:00am, followed by a lunch hosted by the QCWA in Kilkivan Hall.

• Kingaroy - A Dawn Service will be held at the rotunda in Memorial Park at 4:28am followed by a breakfast ($5 donation to Legacy) at the Kingaroy RSL Club and then a pilgrimage to the war graves at Taabinga Cemetery at 8:00am. At 10:30am, marchers should assemble at the Kingaroy RSL Club for the parade to Memorial Park which will step off at 11:00am sharp; this will be followed by a commemoration ceremony at the rotunda at 11:30am and light refreshments afterwards at the Kingaroy RSL Club with two-up from 1:00pm.

• Kumbia - A Dawn Service will be held at the monument outside Kumbia Hall at 6:00am, followed by a gunfire breakfast inside the hall at 6:30am (gold coin donation for Legacy). At 8:45am, marchers should assemble at the flower gardens (corner of Bell Street and Brook Road). The march will then proceed to the monument where a wreath-laying ceremony will be held. After this, morning tea will be inside the hall (bring a plate to share).

• Maclagan - A Dawn Service will begin at 5:25am at the Memorial Hall on Dalby-Cooyar Road.

• Maidenwell - Maidenwell QCWA will be holding a morning tea in the Maidenwell Hall Supper Room at 9:30am, followed by a commemoration service at the monument in Pool Street at 10:30am.

• Murgon - There will be fellowship in the Diggers Room of the Murgon RSL Club at 4:45am for RSL Sub-Branch members, followed by a march at 5:20am to the war memorial where a Dawn Service will be held at 5:30am, and then a Gunfire Breakfast back at the Diggers Room. Marchers in the annual Anzac Day Parade should assemble in the RSL's rear car park at 9:00am for a 9:45am step off. The parade will be followed by a commemoration service and wreath-laying at the memorial at 10:00am and then light refreshments back in the Diggers Room.

• Nanango - There will be fellowship for RSL Sub-Branch members and their families, visiting veterans and ex-defence personnel at Tara's Hall at 4:30am, followed by a Dawn Service at 5:30am at the memorial on the corner of Drayton and Henry streets. A gunfire breakfast will be held at Nanango RSL Club afterwards for a gold coin donation. At 6:45am, a bus will leave the club for a visit to war graves at Nanango Cemetery, followed by a service there at 7:00am. Participants in the annual Anzac Day Parade should assemble in the lane behind Heritage Bank at 8:45am for an 8:55am step off down Drayton Street, followed by a commemoration service at the war memorial at 9:00am. NB. The Nanango QCWA will have their clubrooms open in Fitzroy Street this morning, selling scones and Anzac biscuits.

• Proston - There will be a Dawn Service at 5:30am at the Proston RSL Rooms in Collingwood Street.

• Widgee - A voluntary candlelit Anzac Walk will commence at Webb Park at 5:30am for the Dawn Service which will be held at the cenotaph in Webb Park from 6:00am, followed by breakfast at 7:00am in the Memorial Hall.

• Wondai - A march will be held from the Post Office along Mackenzie Street at 5:00am followed by a Dawn Service at the Memorial in front of the Town Hall. This will be followed by a pilgrimage at 8:00am to the war graves at Wondai Cemetery. A second march will be held from the Post Office along Mackenzie Street from 10:00am to the memorial for a commemoration service and wreath laying. NB. The South Burnett Race Club's annual Anzac Day Races are also on today! (see below).

• Woolooga - A Dawn Service followed by a gunfire breakfast will be held in the Community Hall in Thomas Street from 5:30am, with a morning service at the same venue at 10:00am.

• Wooroolin - A commemoration service will be held in Wooroolin Hall at 11:15am after a short march along the Bunya Highway.

• Yarraman - A Dawn Service will be held at 6:00am at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park followed by a gunfire breakfast for the community at the Yarraman Memorial Hall, Browne Street. At 7:30am, a pilgrimage will be held to the war graves at Yarraman Cemetery, followed by a street march to the Cenotaph at 10:45am (gather outside the police station at 10:30am) and the main Commemoration Service at 11:00am. A community lunch will be held at Memorial Hall at noon.

Flyovers

As well, Several RAAF aircraft will be conducting flyovers in Queensland in support of Anzac Day commemorations:

• 9:15am - Cumkillenbar Park - Isabelle Street, Kaimkillenbun - C-27J Spartan

• 10:15am - Anzac Place, Munro Street, Cooyar - C-27J Spartan

• 10:21am - Yarraman Monument, D'Aguilar Highway, Yarraman - F/A-18F Super Hornet

• 10:23am - Nanango Monument, Drayton and Henry streets, Nanango - F/A-18F Super Hornet

• 10:28am - Goomeri Cenotaph, corner of Boonara St and Burnett Highway, Goomeri - FA-18F Super Hornet

Anzac Day Races - Wondai

The South Burnett Race Club will be holding their annual Anzac Day Race Meeting at the Wondai race track in Baynes Street today in aid of Legacy - and after a sombre morning of reflection it's always one of our region's most popular race meetings of the year. Today's trackside action will feature an on-course TAB; live telecasts of interstate races and interstate betting fluctuations; a vigorous undercover betting ring; a great BBQ and bar. The fashion theme is "Poppies & Pearls". Gates will open at noon; the bar will open at 1:00pm; and the first race will leave the barriers at 1:30pm. Everyone is welcome and admission is just $10.

Barambah Shed Men - Sunny Nook

All men and young blokes have been invited to the 57th meeting of the Barambah Shed Men, which will be held this afternoon at Lindsay Christoffel's Shed at 313 Elbow Road, Sunny Nook (take the Gayndah Road from Murgon for about 12km to the Lancaster's Road and Elbow Road intersection, then turn right for about 3km). This meeting's guest speakers will be Lindsay and former missionary Tim Downes. Everything will get under way at 4:30pm and the $15 cost includes a meal, dessert, soft drinks and tea/coffee (under 15s are free). For catering purposes, though, an RSVP by Monday, April 20, to Chris on 0499-775-022, Ron on (07) 4168-5183 or John on 0428-684-951 would be greatly appreciated.

Maidenwell Bulls & Broncs

The important annual fundraiser for the Tanduringie State School P&C is on again this afternoon and evening behind the Maidenwell Hotel. Gates will open at 4:00pm and local nominations will be taken on the night. This is an affiliated NRA Bull Ride. The Shane Cullen Memorial Open Bull Ride offers $2000 in prize money plus a buckle. The Fallen Mates Open Saddle Bronc Ride offers $1500 in prizes plus a buckle. There will also be Novice and U18 Bull Rides, a Novice Horse Ride, U15 and 7-U12 Mini Bull Rides and a Local 7-U12 Mini Bull Ride (ie. for children local to and known in the Maidenwell community). At half-time, the novelty Maidenwell Wife Carrying Championships will be held with $500 in prize money and trophies. Nominate at the bar on the night! Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for 12-18 years (U12s free). A family pass (two adults and three children) is $50. Free camping is also available.

Pig On The Spit Night - Maidenwell

The Maidenwell Hotel's popular monthly Pig On A Spit Night will be running from 6:00pm until late this evening with live music from 7:30pm with Mr Q. Guests can get stuck into more pork, beef or chicken than they can poke a fork at, all served up with with roast vegies and gravy. There's also free camping nearby if you want to stay over. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4164-6133.

Joel Evans Memorial Weekend - Kingaroy

Today is Day 1 of the special Joel Evans Memorial Weekend being held in Kingaroy to mark the first anniversary of the tragic death of the champion local motocross rider. The South Burnett Junior MX Club has organised a weekend of activities which will be held at their track near Kingaroy Airport. Gates will open at 2:00pm this afternoon and there will be free games with prizes from 3:00pm, including tyre throwing, a treasure hunt, MX boot races and more, including a jumping castle for the kids. Camping will be available overnight with a bonfire and wood-fired pizzas available. Tomorrow a ride day will be held for all levels of MX riders.

Footsteps - Kingaroy

Local duo Footsteps will be back playing live in the beer garden at the Commercial Hotel, on the corner of Glendon and Haly streets, Kingaroy, from 7:30pm to late tonight. More details? Phone (07) 4162-1380.

Live Music - Nanango Services Club

Nanango Services Club in Henry Street will be hosting some special live music to coincide with Anzac Day. From 11:00am, the Burnett Celtic Pipes & Drums will be performing, followed from 1:00pm by popular local duo MISfITZ (Rob & Clare Fitz-Herbert). More info? Phone the club on (07) 4163-1375.

Elegant Afternoon Tea - Murgon

The 55 Million Years Ago museum and art gallery at 73 Macalister Street, Murgon, will be hosting an elegant afternoon tea from 2:30pm this afternoon. Today's special event will feature entries in the gallery's annual Anzac Art Competition with the winners to be announced during the afternoon tea. Entry is $12. Bookings essential! Art will be available to buy. Phone 0472-741-664.

Pig On The Spit - Yarraman

The Royal Hotel in Yarraman will be marking Anzac Day with two-up from 3:00pm, a pig on the spit and karaoke from 7:00pm.

Senior Soccer - Kingaroy

Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club will be hosting a game from the Darling Downs Community competition at their grounds at Tom Alford Oval in Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy, this evening. Kingaroy’s Division 1 team will take on UniSQFC at 5:00pm. Spectators are urged to come along and support the local team in action!

Dave Redsell - Linville

Dave Redsell will be performing live at the Linville Hotel in George Street, Linville, from 4:00pm this afternoon. Admission is free. More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 5424-7280.

Footsteps & DJ BRZ43 - Kingaroy

Local duo Footsteps will be back playing live in the beer garden at the Commercial Hotel, on the corner of Glendon and Haly Streets, Kingaroy, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm tonight; while DJ BRZ43 will be spinning in the Sports Bar from 9:00pm. Admission is free and the hotel's kitchen will be open for dinner and snacks. More details? Phone (07) 4162-1380.

Rob Stevenson - Kingaroy

Soloist Rob Stevenson will be performing live at the Kingaroy RSL in Markwell Street, Kingaroy from 7:00pm tonight in the Tobruk Room. Admission is free. More details from the RSL on (07) 4162-1755.

Music Jam - Maidenwell

Maidenwell Treasures, on the corner of Main Street and the Maidenwell-Bunya Mountains Road, will be hosting an open mic jam session from noon today. Everyone is invited to come along and make some music!

Nanango Men's Shed

The Nanango Men's Shed at the corner of Mt Stanley Road and Heathermore Lane, Nanango, will be open from 8:30am to 12:30pm today for its regular get-together. The Men's Shed meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and new members are always welcome! More details? Phone 0491-102-087.

Murgon Men's Shed

The Murgon Men's Shed will be holding a meeting at their shed in Macalister Street, Murgon (the shed next to the former Murgon Railway Station) today. The Men's Shed meets every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday between 7:30am and 12:30pm to work on projects and new members are always welcome! Contact Dave on 0407-409-335.

Kingaroy Men's Shed

The Kingaroy Men's Shed will be holding their regular morning meeting at the old Motor Pool building off Geoff Raph Drive at Kingaroy Airport from 8:00am to 11:00am today. The group meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday morning and new members and visitors are always welcome.

Yarraman Men's Shed

The Yarraman Men's Shed at the end of Mill Street, Yarraman will be holding one of its regular get-togethers from 8:00am to noon today. The Men's Shed is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and new members are always welcome. More details? Send them an email

Wondai Parkrun

The Wondai parkrun group will be holding their weekly 5km timed walk/run from Coronation Park in Wondai at 7:00am this morning. Runners follow a course along the South Burnett Rail Trail and the parkrun group is free to join. All you need to do is register (once) online at parkrun.com.au and bring the printed barcode to any parkrun event. More details? Send an email.

Ros Gregor Parkrun - Nanango

The Nanango parkrun group will be holding its weekly 5km timed walk/run along the Ros Gregor Trail at Tipperary Flat next to the D'Aguilar Highway south of Nanango at 7:00am this morning. Runners follow a course along the trail and the parkrun group is free to join. All you need to do is register (once) online at parkrun.com.au and bring the printed barcode to any parkrun event.

Railway Parkrun - Proston

The Proston parkrun group will be holding its weekly 5km timed walk/run at Railway Park in Rodney Street, Proston at 7:00am this morning. Runners follow a course along the former railway line and the parkrun group is free to join. All you need to do is register (once) online at parkrun.com.au and bring the printed barcode to any parkrun event.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Parkrun - Blackbutt

The Blackbutt parkrun group will be holding its weekly 5km timed walk/run along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Blackbutt from 7:00am this morning. The starting line is adjacent to the Roy Emerson Museum, off Bowman Road. Runners follow a course along the former railway line and the parkrun group is free to join. All you need to do is register (once) online (it's officially called the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail parkrun) and bring the printed barcode to any parkrun event.

Narcotics Anonymous - Kingaroy

Are drugs a problem? NA members have been there and can help! An NA meeting is held from noon to 1:00pm every Saturday in Kingaroy. More info? Phone 1300-652-820.