June 29, 2016
Wondai RSL Sub-branch hosted its 11th annual Reserve Forces Day parade in Wondai on Sunday, a week earlier than usual due to the Federal Election.
A short ceremony was held at the Wondai Memorial, followed by a parade down Mackenzie Street and a commemoration service in Coronation Park.
Reserve Forces Day events are co-ordinated by the Australian Reserve Forces Day Council and are conducted around Australia, although this year only a handful were planned for Queensland.
They recall the participation of Citizens Military Forces – and later, Army, Navy and Air Force reserves – during both wartime and peacetime activities.
Reserve Forces Day has a special link with Wondai, which is home to a depot of the 25/49 RQR, an Army Reserve light infantry battalion.
The 25th and 49th Battalions had a shared history before World War II but were finally linked in 1997.
Since 1997, Reserves from 25/49 RQR have served in peace-keeping duties in the Solomon Islands, East Timor and the Sinai Peninsula; disaster relief duties on Indonesia after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, during the Iraq invasion, as part of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, and in border protection duties.
The linked battalion maintains battle honours and colours of the two battalions, which is why a 49th Battalion banner listing its battle honours was proudly on display during the commemoration service on Sunday.
[Photos: Noel Selway and Cr Kathy Duff]
Related articles:
- Wondai Marks A Milestone (2015)
- Reserves Troop Their Colours (2014)
- Reserves Turn Out In Force (2013)
- Wondai Troops Its Colours (2012)
