Light up the dawn, your way

The reflection of ANZAC Day takes shape in many ways but the one thing we are united on is paying our respects to those brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. 

The way in which we commemorate ANZAC Day has been reshaped over the past two years due to the global pandemic, however the ANZAC spirit has shone through. The images we saw two years ago of people of all ages standing on their driveways in the early morning will not be forgotten any time soon. 

RSL Australia does a terrific job in bringing Australians together to commemorate this traditional day of reflection. This year regardless of how you honour and remember those who are serving and those who have served RSL Australia is encouraging everyone to ‘Commemorate Your Way’. 

It sends shiver down my spine when I think about those troops who landed at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915. The values of endurance, courage, mateship, humour and ingenuity are the five traits that defined those young Diggers. 

There are several marches and dawn services across the city this year. 

The 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 9.30am 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 5.10am dawn service at the Logan Memorial Gardens on the corner of Jacaranda Ave and Wembley Rd, followed by a march. 

There will also be a 4.45am service at Jimboomba at Jimboomba Hall and Rotary Park.  

I will be marching at the Springwood Tri-Service from 7.15 am at the Logan East Community Centre, followed by a service at Springwood Park. 

How you choose to honour and remember this ANZAC Day 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. 

It’s a time to acknowledge the commitment of the servicemen and servicewomen who lost their life defending Australia or served to defend our freedom. It’ s also a time to pause and think about those who are currently serving our country in conflicts across the world. 

I pay my respects to every Australian soldier 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