April 25, 2013
The local community always supports Murgon’s Anzac celebrations, and this year was no exception.
Although Anzac Day is officially celebrating its 98th anniversary in 2013, Murgon didn’t start its own Anzac Day commemorations until 1919. So today’s services were the 94th that have been held there.
The Dawn Service was well-attended, but a much larger crowd came for the Anzac Day march which wound its way along Gore Street and a circuit of Lamb Street before the Commemoration Service got underway at 10:00am.
The march was led by former servicemen but also involved students from local schools, the Cherbourg Junior Police Rangers and local sporting clubs.
Students who’d taken part in the march were seated on Lamb Street near the Cenotaph before proceedings got underway, which they did with a short address on this year’s Anzac Day theme, “Animals in War”.
Robert Foster – accompanied by the Murgon State High School Band – then sang “God Defend New Zealand” and “Advance Australia Fair” to launch proceedings which was followed by a short prayer led by a delegate from the Minister’s fraternal.
The crowd was then addressed by the day’s guest speaker: Toowoomba-born but Murgon-raised Captain Andrew McAllister, who is now an ophthalmologist with the Australian Army.
Cadets from the 135 Army Cadet Unit attended the proceedings to form the official Catafalque Party.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff were special guests at the service. Cr Duff read the Roll of Honour while wreaths were laid.
This was followed by the Last Post, the Observance and the Ode before the ceremony drew to a close.
Related articles:
- Cadets Honour The Fallen – Anzac Day 2013 Nanango
- A Mateship Forged In War – Anzac Day 2013 Kingaroy
- A Spirit Of Self-Sacrifice – Anzac Day 2013 Wondai
- Muster Pauses To Remember – Anzac Day 2013 Boondooma
- Artist Paints Spirit Of Anzacs