July 4, 2017
Wondai’s 12th annual Reserve Forces Day commemoration was held on Sunday and – as usual – guests came from all over Queensland for the occasion.
Reserve Forces Day commemorates the two million Australian men and women who have served in the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserves since 1948, as well as the many thousands who have served in the CMF and other volunteer formations over the years.
This year the Commanding Officer of the T. S. Krait Lieutenant ANC Peter Green and Wing Commander John Gill from the RAAF were special guests, along with South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell, Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff, Cr Ros Heit, former Wondai Shire Mayor Percy Iszlaub and Jose de Silva, the Vice President of the Queensland branch of the Naval Association.
The theme of this year’s commemoration was to recall the many Australian reservists who have served in the Navy over the past century.
On Sunday, about 70 reservists, members of the public and invited guests gathered at the Wondai Cenotaph at 10:00am for the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony to begin the event.
After the ceremony, marchers were able to enjoy tea and coffee supplied by the Wondai QCWA.
The tea break was followed at 11:00am by a parade from the Post Office reviewed by RAAF Wing Commander John Gill and Lt. Peter Green, and then a Recognition Service in Coronation Park led by former Wondai RSL president Wally Knight.
It included an address by Lt. Green; prayers led by Chaplain Vic Chapman; a reading of The Ode; the playing of The Last Post, Reveille and the national anthem; a benediction led by Vic Chapman; and then a bugle call to mark the end of Reserve Forces Day.
After this, guests enjoyed a post-parade get-together at the Wondai Diggers Club.
South Burnett Reserve Forces Day committee secretary Noel Selway said the committee was very grateful to many individuals and organisations who’d contributed to the day’s success.
These included the Department of Defence, the South Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Security and Traffic Control, the Wondai and District Band, Wondai Show Society, the SES, Wondai Police, the Queensland Ambulance Service, the Wondai QCWA, Hotel Cecil, the Wondai Diggers Club, CROW-FM, ABC Southern Queensland and the group’s many friends
Wondai was one of only four towns in Queensland to mark Reserve Forces Day this year.
Other services were held at Ipswich, Brisbane and Currumbin on the Gold Coast.
Related articles:
- Reserves Honoured In Wondai (2016)
- Wondai Marks A Milestone (2015)
- Reserves Troop Their Colours (2014)
- Reserves Turn Out In Force (2013)
- Wondai Troops Its Colours (2012)
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