Kahn Fleischfresser, 8, put together this amazing display in Avoca Street, Kingaroy (more photos below)

April 27, 2020

The Last Post sounded in almost empty streets, candles were lit in driveways  … Anzac Day 2020 was definitely different but the South Burnett made sure the sacrifices of Australia’s servicemen and women were remembered.

In Kingaroy, small family groups and individuals stood at their front gates, answering the RSL’s call to “Light Up The Dawn”.

At 6:00am, as ambulance paramedics stood in a ring outside their station – emergency lights flashing – the Last Post drifted across town.

Students from Kingaroy State High School, each in their own yards, were part of this musical commemoration led by music teacher Matt Phillips.

In Murgon, the local RSL also made sure the Last Post sounded across the streets, and in Wondai, a lone trumpeter from the Wondai Town & District Band, ensured the same occurred near the town’s memorial in an unofficial tribute.

Candles were lit on fence posts across the region – from Hivesville and Proston to Yarraman – while local fire brigades also sounded their fire alarms.

There were also many decorated fences.

Students from St John’s Lutheran School in Kingaroy decorated a fence in Ivy Street, while volunteers from Heritage House in Yarraman made sure the day did not go by unnoticed.

Remember the Collier family who decorated their Kingaroy driveway ahead of Saturday?  (See “It’s A Very Different Anzac Day“)

A couple of local former servicemen were so impressed with the children’s efforts they arranged an informal two-man “march” past their house on Anzac Day morning and presented the children with gifts.

The private commemorations across the South Burnett were special but they weren’t unusual as thousands of families across Australia chose to salute the Anzacs in their own special ways.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had been deeply moved by the outpouring of support across Queensland, despite the COVID-19 cancellations.

RSL State President Tony Ferris was also grateful for those Queenslanders who had observed Anzac Day at home.

“It is unfortunate we were unable to observe Anzac Day in time-honoured fashion this year but we have been encouraged to see how determined Australians have been to remember those who have served and sacrificed for the way of life we all enjoy,” Mr Ferris said.

“We may not have been able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder this year, but we stood united in spirit.”

A solitary wreath, laid by students from St Mary’s Catholic College, at the Digger’s statue in Kingaroy’s Memorial Park
Kingaroy resident Sue Miller stood with a candle at her front gate
Ambulance paramedics formed a ring of candles outside their Kingaroy station … an ambulance parked nearby lit up the dawn with flashing red and blue lights
The Springhall family outside their home in Kingaroy … Wayne, who spent 26 years in the navy, with Casey, Ben and mum Jodie
Lights and flags line a fence in Haly Street, Kingaroy
Kahn Fleischfresser, 8, with Chasley Hewison and neighbour Sue Goodman in Kingaroy
Kahn’s Anzac Day display included Simpson’s Donkey as well as a very cute flower pot wearing camo pants!
The informal “march” past the Collier family’s house in Kingaroy (Photo: Collier family)
Ava and Adeline Collier stand at attention in their Anzac Day-decorated driveway (Photo: Collier family)
The Last Post sounds in Wondai in an informal commemoration (Photo: Ros Heit)

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Anzac Day In Nanango

(Video published by NaTDA)

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Kingaroy State High School’s tribute

 

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