EDITION 82, MAY 2017
Gordonvale Commemorates ANZAC Day 2017 FREE
Gordonvale paused on the 25th of April to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the ANZAC tradition. The dawn service commenced at 4.15am in front of a crowd of about 500 people. The familiar and haunting sound of the didgeridoo filled Norman park as the crowd gathered around the Cenotaph for the service and wreath laying ceremony. Guest speakers were introduced by master of Ceremonies Steven Brain. State treasurer and member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt spoke about the important role an estimated 1200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women played in all the campaigns during World War 1, despite not being recognized for their efforts for many decades. Mr. Pitt also told the audience that over
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57000 Queenslanders both men and women volunteered during World War 1 with many of them killed or injured during the many battles. There are currently over 2500 defence force personnel on overseas operations today. After the dawn service breakfast was enjoyed by many of the attendees. At 9am, service veterans, members of the armed forces, local community groups and school students formed up outside the Gordonvale State Primary School for the march to the Cenotaph. At the cenotaph a large crowd gathered to hear speeches and see the wreath laying ceremony and listen to renditions of the last post and Abide With Me. Many of the speeches this year focused on an often forgotten and hidden casualty of war, being the psychological injuries suffered by returned service personnel. Once the formalities were completed Norman Park was opened up as a temporary RSL club whilst the current hall undergoes a major refurbishment. Food and drinks were on sale and the stage area was the venue for the traditional two up. Gordonvale
always puts on a great commemorative ceremony on ANZAC day and this is set to continue next year in what is hoped to be a newly refurbished hall. All other services throughout the region were also well attended with the rain not deterring the thousands of people in attendance. Lest We Forget.
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