April 25, 2013
New Zealand is sometimes the forgotten part of the word “Anzac”, but not at today’s Kingaroy Anzac Day celebrations.
Guest speaker in Memorial Park was Warrant Office Brian O’Connor, from the New Zealand Army.
He told the crowd the Anzac legend had been forged under fire.
“New Zealanders and Australians blended into each other so they couldn’t be told apart,” he said.
To reinforce the message, stirring renditions of the two countries’ national anthems were performed: “Advance Australia Fair” by the Kingaroy State High School Choir; and “God Defend New Zealand” by Kingaroy resident Eri Carey.
Kingaroy’s morning Anzac Day Commemoration Service always draws a large crowd to Memorial Park but there seemed to be even more people than usual this year.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said there had also been a record turnout at the Dawn Service, possibly because of the build-up of interest ahead of the Gallipoli centenary in 2015.
The Kingaroy Anzac Day march is always the region’s largest, and today was no exception with marchers, bands and vintage cars stretching down Haly Street.
At the head of the procession was Josh Wolski, the winner of this year’s Anzac Day essay competition. Josh, a Year 7 student at St John’s Lutheran School, was presented with an Australian flag as a memento of the occasion.
Also involved in the commemorations were Kingaroy State High School captains Maddy Payne and Sam Johnston and vice-captain Lauren Cross, who read the Loyal Resolutions.
Service organisation, community groups and the public laid wreaths while the Roll Of Honour was being read and the Lament was being played on bagpipes.
Mayor Kratzmann, who delivered the closing remarks, noted that sounds of children playing in the park and the peace of the service were what the Anzacs had fought to preserve.
“The Anzacs would be looking down from heaven and would be pretty happy,” he said.
Related articles:
- Cadets Honour The Fallen – Anzac Day 2013 Nanango
- A Spirit Of Self-Sacrifice – Anzac Day 2013 Wondai
- Crowd Turns Out For Parade – Anzac Day 2013 Murgon
- Muster Pauses To Remember – Anzac Day 2013 Boondooma
- Artist Paints Spirit Of Anzacs
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