July 1, 2012
A small but enthusiastic crowd turned out to watch the South Burnett’s annual Reserve Forces Day Parade in Wondai this morning.
Reserve Forces Day commemorates the two million Australian men and women who have served in the ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserves since 1948, as well as the many thousands who served in the militia and other volunteer formations in the years prior to that.
The inaugural parades were held in 12 cities throughout Australia in 1998 to raise awareness of the Reserves, thank employers for their support and encourage enlistment.
These first parades attracted 18,000 past and 4000 present members of the Reserve Forces and were considered so successful that it was decided to make Reserve Forces Day Parades an annual event.
Wondai is currently 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.
Today’s parade was led by an Australian Light Horse re-enactment troop, followed by the Wondai and District Brass Band. The Queensland Police Pipe Band also helped to keep the marchers in step.
A bren gun carrier and a Jeep, both carrying children, brought up the rear, while members of the local SES took care of crowd safety and traffic control.
Parade members saluted as they passed the official dais erected at the edge of Coronation Park, then returned to the Park at the end of the parade to hear a letter from the Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
At the conclusion of the event, guests were invited to the nearby Wondai Diggers Club for refreshments.
