The morning march in Blackbutt was well-supported by veterans and their family members (Photo: Blackbutt RSL Sub-Branch)
April 26, 2024
Huge crowds turned out in towns and villages across the South Burnett on Thursday to mark the 109th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
Anzac Day marches and services usually attract strong support in the region, but this year there appeared to be particularly strong turnouts in many towns.
The Dawn Service in Kingaroy attracted a much bigger crowd than usual, many of whom returned to the Kingaroy RSL Club afterwards where 280 guests were served breakfast.
There was also a large crowd at the Dawn Service in Blackbutt.
School students also played a major role in most towns, either carrying flags or simply marching in uniform in the street parades.
There was also a strong presence from the region’s two local Cadet units: 177 ACU Nanango and 135 ACU Wondai.
At Wooroolin, new metal cutouts bearing the figures of a kneeling Digger and a charging Light Horseman were unveiled for Anzac Day.
The artworks, organised by the Wooroolin Lions Club, now adorn the ramp which leads up to the rotunda opposite the Memorial Hall.
The D’Aguilar Highway was closed in Blackbutt as the very large crowd turned out at the monument for the Dawn ServiceCommunity groups also supported the Blackbutt’s morning Anzac Day march …… as did the local pony club whose members led the parade carrying flags
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Cherbourg
[Photo: Cherbourg Radio]
Vietnam veteran and Cherbourg Elder Uncle Eric Law led the commemoration at the Cherbourg memorial
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Kumbia
[Photos: Cr Ros Heit]
The march down the main street in Kumbia was followed by a commemoration service which packed out the Kumbia Memorial HallLocal resident David Crawford was one of the guest speakers at the Kumbia commemoration
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Murgon
[Photos: Mayor Kathy Duff and Murgon State High School]
Murgon’s day of commemorations began with the traditional Dawn ServiceMurgon RSL Sub-Branch president Kevin Gill, Murgon Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Brett Everest, South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, Pastor Glenn Vonhoff and former Burnett RSL District president Trevor Williamson OAMThe traditional volley was fired at the Murgon Dawn ServiceVeterans, their families and community groups marched in the morning parade, which also included a string of historic military vehiclesStudents from Murgon State High School played a major role in Murgon’s Anzac Day commemorations
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Nanango
[Photos: Cr Jane Erkens]
Cadets from the 177 Army Cadet Unit, based at Nanango, took part in the Nanango Dawn Service as well as the morning commemorationThe Nanango march included a display of Australian flags carried on horseback and by cadetsSouth Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff with Nanango Community Baptist Church Pastor Bill Hogan and his wife Janiece, who sang the National Anthem at the Nanango morning commemorationThere was a big turnout of Nanango residents for the morning march and commemoration serviceCadets from the 177 Army Cadet Unit at the Nanango obelisk
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Wondai
[Photos: Cr Ros Heit, Noel Selway and Wondai Pool]
Crowds gathered at the Wondai Memorial for the Dawn ServiceCadets from 135 Army Cadet Unit at Wondai mounted guard on the MemorialFlowers and wreaths adorned the Memorial after the morning commemoration
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Wooroolin
Students from the Wooroolin Bugle Band – who recently starred on ABC-TV – were a key part again of the annual Wooroolin Anzac Day paradeThe march, which briefly stops traffic on the Bunya Highway, was led by the Wondai Town and District Band, fresh from their performance at the Wondai commemorationOne of the new metal cutouts which adorn the rotunda ramp
