For
decades, April 25th has been the day ex-servicemen and women dust of
their medals and together with R.S.L. Members, families and friends gather at
dawn around War Memorials in cities and towns to herald a day of remembrance
for the men and women of courage whose great sacrifices in times of war have
defended the freedoms that we enjoy today. It is a day when crowds line the streets to
clap, cheer and try to suppress the emotions that swell with the passing of the
parade.
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| Dawn in Esk |
The
year, 2020 and the world has been battling another war though not the same. And while the battle against the spread of
Coronavirus has necessitated isolation and social distancing resulting in the
ban on gatherings of people, Australians were not about to give up on honouring
the ANZAC traditions which have defined the Australian identity and shaped the
ways in which people view Australia’s past and its future.
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| Jim Watts - Digger Port MacQuarrie |
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| Billy in Gatton |
On
a cool crisp morning at 6 o’clock on this April 25th, armed with candles, home-made
crosses, poppies…some covering entire front lawns, with mementoes, memorabilia
and Australian flags draped on fences and letter boxes, the next wave of young
Australians and many of the old, families, couples or stand alones walked to
the end of their driveways to give thanks; to reflect on the courage of our
brave souls; to listen for the distant sounds of Australian and New Zealand Anthems or Last
Post played on all manner of instruments from mouth organs to violins,
trumpets, euphoniums and bugles, in salute of the ANZACS and all who have served
since; neighbours standing alone but together in spirit keeping the memory of
ANZAC alive.
Sue Walker.
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| Tom Byrne Playing Last Post - Laidley |
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| Caitlin Wollaston- Lighting up the Dawn in Esk |
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| Elizabeth Browne and Billy in Gatton |
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| From the Skippen home in Esk |
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| On the footpath in Laidley |
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| Kerry O'Niel's grand daughter |
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