The ANZAC legend has become an important part of the identity of Australians and New Zealanders.
It has shaped the ways in which we view both our past and our future.
Each year millions of Australians take part in ANZAC Day services on April 25 across the country to pay their respects to those brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom.
RSL Australia does a terrific job in bringing Australians together to commemorate this traditional day of reflection. There is no greater way to honour our ANZACs – and those who have, or currently, serve – than taking part in and ANZAC Day service.
Marches are core to our ANZAC Day commemorations and are a wonderful expression of solidarity, honouring the contribution and suffering of all those who have served and those still serving.
There are several marches and dawn services across our city this year.
- Beenleigh RSL will hold its dawn service at the Beenleigh War Memorial on the corner of James and Crete Streets from 5.30am. The march will commence from the corner of Kokoda and York St from 9.30am followed by a commemorative service at 10am.
- Greenbank RSL will hold its dawn service from 5.30am. The march will form at the corner of Blackwell St and Anzac Ave in Hillcrest at 10am ahead of the main service from 10.30am.
- Logan Village RSL will hold a dawn service at the Village Green from 4.28am.
- In Logan Central there will be a 5.30am dawn service at the Logan Memorial Gardens on the corner of Jacaranda Ave and Wembley Rd, followed by a march at 8.30am and a service at 9am.
- The Diggers Services Club has a dawn service from 5.20am.
- Jimboomba RSL Sub Branch will hold a 4.45am dawn service at the World War I memorial in Honora St, followed by a march at 7am from the corner of Brisbane St and Cusack Ln. The main service is from 7.30am at the World War II memorial in Rotary Park.
I will be marching at the Springwood Tri-Service from 7.45 am at the Logan East Community Centre, followed by a service at Springwood Park at 8.30am.
I know I will stop to take a moment and think about those at ANZAC Cove on April 25, 1915. Those young Diggers fought with endurance, courage, mateship, humour and ingenuity – values that resonate with us today.
How you choose to honour and remember this ANZAC Day next Tuesday is up to you. Whether at a march, a service, or at home baking a traditional ANZAC biscuit, I encourage you to commemorate in a way that means the most to you.
I pay my respects to every member of the Australian Defence Forces who has followed in the footsteps of the ANZACs to defend our country.
To find a service near you, visit the RSL’s website at lightupthedawn.com.au
