Wondai Remembers Their Efforts

July 11, 2024

Wondai RSL Sub-Branch members and their guests paused to remember the sacrifices made by part-time military personnel during the annual Reserve Forces Day commemoration on Sunday.

Reserve Forces Day was originally an Australia-wide event, acknowledging the more than 1.25 million people who have served in Defence Reserves since 1900.

Sadly, these days Wondai is one of the few locations left which actively recognises the sacrifices made in so many conflicts.

This is possibly because the town hosts the 25/49 RQR Battalion, which parades at the depot in Bramston Street most Tuesday nights.

Reserve Forces – or Citizen Military Forces as they were formerly known – have existed in one form or another in Australia since before Federation, but especially came to the fore during World War II.

More recently Reserve units have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

Wondai’s organising committee selects a different branch of the Reserves to honour each year

This year it was the turn of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Guest speaker was Air Commodore Robert Graham, from RAAF Base Amberley.

The morning began with a short commemoration service and the laying of wreaths at the base of the Wondai Memorial.

The names of seven Wondai residents who died while on active service in 1944 during World War II were read out.

The crowd then headed up Mackenzie Street to the Wondai Post Office where QCWA volunteers served morning tea.

A parade then assembled and marched back down Mackenzie Street, led by the Wondai Town & District Band, before heading into Coronation Park for the second part of the morning’s commemorations.

Air Commodore Graham and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff took the salute as the parade passed by.

In the park, Deputy Brigade Chaplain Major (AAC) David Taylor shared prayers and Air Commodore Graham addressed the crowd.

“Since 1901, the nature and form of Reserve Forces have changed in many ways but at its most fundamental it remains the same today as it always has – a volunteer force which is prepared to serve when called on for the good of Australia,” Air Commodore Graham said.

“It is somewhat perplexing to me that it took almost a century for this country to appropriately recognise the contribution that Reserve Forces make.”

The first Reserve Forces Day parades were held in 1988.

This is the 19th year that Wondai has hosted a Reserve Forces Day commemoration, and the 18th time it has held a parade.

Air Commodore Graham praised the Wondai organising committee for their commitment and dedication to keeping Reserve Forces Day alive.

“Wondai is the last remaining town that conducts a parade and a service of this nature,”  he said.

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Reserve Forces Parade 

The annual parade began at the Wondai Post Office, led by the the Wondai & District Band and the 5th Light Horse Gympie re-enactment troop:

  Wondai