April 25, 2012
Thousands of South Burnett residents gathered in towns and villages throughout the region today to mark Anzac Day.
Dawn services were held in Kingaroy, Nanango, Blackbutt, Wondai, Proston and Goomeri. Marches were also well-attended.
Nanango’s 9:30am march along Drayton Street to the Memorial featured children from St Patrick’s Catholic School and Nanango State School as well as a strong contingent of returned servicemen, including many Vietnam Veterans who marched behind their own banner. A surprise was a low pass over the parade by an RAAF Hornet on its way to the commemorations at Wondai.
In Kingaroy, students from St Mary’s Catholic College riding club led the 11:00am march, followed by service personnel, schoolchildren, marchers and veterans in vintage vehicles. An historic Warbird saluted the occasion with a flyover of the parade.
Guest speaker – and Master of Ceremonies – in Kingaroy was retiring South Burnett Regional Mayor David Carter in one of his last official duties.
In Murgon, a good crowd turned up to listen to guest speaker, retired Lieutenant-Colonel John Onglay. Cherbourg police rangers also joined in the march as well as students from St Joseph’s Catholic School.
Wondai’s Anzac Day celebrations were also very well-attended, with many schoolchildren and supporters turning out. Guest speaker was retired Major Peter Coombes. A low – and very fast – pass over Mackenzie Street by the RAAF Hornet thrilled the crowd.
Guest speaker at the Wooroolin ceremony was Deputy Mayor Cr Keith Campbell who spoke to a crowd of about 120.
[CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report indicated the riders were from St John’s Lutheran School, not St Mary’s Catholic College]
