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By SARAH WATERS

A crowd of more than 12,000 people showed up to honour the fallen at the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL subbranch Anzac Service at Chris Cunningham Park, in Tweed Heads, last Tuesday. (April 25).

Among them, were direct relatives of those who fought in Gallipoli, current and former Australian servicemen and others who simply chose to be there out of respect.

President of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL sub-branch Dr John Griffin introduced the Remembrance Service by relaying the historic day the Anzacs stepped out of their boats and onto the brutal battle ground of

Gallipoli 108 years ago.

“At the time, those members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who landed at dawn on the 25th of April 1915, had no idea they were creating a legend that is to remain with us all today and in the years to come,” Dr Griffin said.

Dr Griffin made a special mention of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and Legacy Gold Coast, who paid tribute to the Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA) of WW2, which was founded in 1942.

“In 1944, male farm labour was recruited into the Australian Military to defend the country.

“To meet this shortfall in rural labour, state and local women’s land organisations began to form under the jurisdiction of the Director General of Manpower.

“We thank the Coolangatta Country Women’s Association for bringing the work of the Australian Women’s Land Army to the community’s attention.”

Col Bob Sayce CSC (retired) of Gold Coast Legacy Club, spoke about the charity’s history, with 2023 marking Legacy Australia’s 100th anniversary.

Legacy Australia was established in 1923 by ex-servicemen to support the families of veterans of the Australian Defence Force who gave the lives or health for the country.

“Many soldiers returned home seriously wounded, both physically and emotionally, and the government did all they could to help these returned soldiers,” Mr Sayce said.

“However, it was quickly realised that, although they had not fought on the battlefield, the widows and children of soldiers who had died were, in a real sense, also marked the national charity’s 100-year anniversary by leading the Anzac march. casualties of the war.

Local high school students each paid tribute to an Australian Victoria Cross recipient.

“There was a growing recognition that these widows and children also needed a lot of help.”

Gold Coast Legacy through as he rescued soldiers, who had lost their horses, during an ambush by about 60

Betty Ward from Banora Point High School spoke about Lieutenant Leslie C Maygar VC, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a dismounted man while under severe rifle fire in 1902 during the Second Boer War.

Transvaal, South Africa and then gave the corporal his horse so he could escape.

Federal member for Richmond Justine Elliot noted in August, this year, it will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

“More than 60,000 Australian soldiers served in the Vietnam conflict, 3000 were wounded and tragically 523 were killed,” Ms Elliot said.

“Futures were robbed, and lives were changed forever for those who went and for those who loved them.

“Yet for so long, the truth is, that we as a nation didn’t measure up to them, to those people who served in our name and did their duty in our name.

“So, to each and every one of our Vietnam veterans who are here today, we honour you, we thank you and we are so sorry it took so long as a nation to do so - you deserve better.”

The many Australian men and women, who are currently serving across the world, were also acknowledged.

Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL subbranch chaplain Reverend Dway Goon Chew praised Australia’s fallen servicemen, who endured war for the country’s freedom.

“No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

“Today on Anzac Day we remember those who have done just that.

“I can’t even begin to imagine the horrors of war, let alone what it might be like to die in a place far, far away from home.”

Wreaths were laid by numerous community members and organisations, including representatives of the Prisoners of War Association, Rats of Tobruk Association, Tweed Heads War Widows Association, the National Servicemen Association, Tweed Heads Naval Association as well as students from local primary and high schools.

The Ode was read by Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL sub-branch secretary Norm Henstridge and the Last Post was played by Bugler Monty Lush.

To conclude the service students from Coolangatta State School sung both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 started on Anzac Day in Pozieres France and will run over six months.

After going through London, it will continue to Australia and land in Perth in May.

The relay will then continue its journey across Australia, visiting all Legacy Club locations, before finishing in Melbourne in October.

It is expected to be on the Gold Coast on June 19.

The Torch will travel 55,000 km, through 100 stops and be carried by about 1500 torch bearers during the relay.

This year’s Legacy Centenary Torch Relay aims to commemorate the previous century and also highlight what the future holds for the organisation that looks after over 43,000 veteran’s dependents through more than 40 Legacy clubs Australia wide.

Legacy Australia is a volunteer organisation and one of Australia’s oldest charities.

It supports the widows and children of deceased Members of the Australian Defence Force.

President of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL sub-branch Dr John Griffin paid a special tribute to the club’s flag marshal of 20 years, WW2 veteran Bobby Lominga, at last Tuesday’s Anzac Service.

“When we returned to this ceremony following covid, Bobby asked me whether he would be flag marshal again – I said of course,” Dr Griffin said.

“He asked if we could provide a chair here at the flagpole as his legs weren’t as good as they used to be.

“Sadly, Bobby passed away on April 9, this year, aged 97.

“He had expressed a great wish to his family that he might still be able to attend this Anzac Day.”

A diggers hat sat on a chair at the flag post in honour of Bobby Lominga during the Anzac service.

Dr Griffin said the 2023 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service was the biggest he had seen since 2015 with an estimated 15,000 people attending, while the Remembrance Service was back to the numbers of pre-covid days of 12,000 – 15,000 people.

Following the service, he expressed how excellent the high school students were in delivering their tributes to Australia’s Victoria Cross recipients.