Anzac Services are back on the Sunshine Coast this year with 12 locations hosting dawn services and/or morning teas on Sunday.
RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District president Ian Hall said it was “extremely pleasing” that people would be able to come together to commemorate the men and women who have served our nation.
Services will be held at Caloundra, Coolum, Cooroy, Kawana, Maleny, Mapleton, Maroochydore, Mudjimba, Nambour, Tewantin, Woodford and Yandina (service details listed below).
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club regrettably cancelled its service at Mooloolaba Beach, which normally draws about 10,000 people, because of COVID.
However, thousands of people are expected to attend the other services after they were unable to do so last year.
“It’s extremely pleasing that we are able to conduct services and returned service personnel and members of the community can come along and participate, whereas last year we could only do the Light Up The Dawn service,” Mr Hall said.
“Every sub-branch on the Sunshine Coast is having a service and some are having a dawn service and a morning service.
“I expect a big turnout, especially from returned veterans and members of the defence force.”
In recent months, there was some doubt about whether crowds would be able to attend, due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
But with minimal cases now, organisers have given the all-clear.
“We thought we would be further restricted but that’s not going to be the case,” Mr Hall said.
Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook
There is still the option to take part in driveway vigils.
“Members of the community who feel they don’t want to go along to a service can still participate by Lighting Up The Dawn,” Mr Hall said.
There will be some minor changes to services around the region, but they will largely be similar to previous years’ editions, with dawn services from about 5am, followed by gunfire breakfasts. The community will gather again for services at about 10am, with marches to cenotaphs followed by services.
The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a minimum of 16 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 24.
Stay up-to-date with local news by subscribing to our FREE daily news bulletin. Simply plug in your email at the top of this article
Fiona Simpson’s tribute song
Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson has written and recorded a song from the heart in time for Anzac Day.
“Lest We Forget” was co-written during the pandemic lockdown when gatherings were banned and Aussies instead paid tribute with candles in their driveways.
Ms Simpson wrote the lyrics and her friend and fellow Sunshine Coast singer, Tanya Maree McFadyen-Bandera, wrote the music over Zoom last year.
Only days before Anzac Day 2020, they roughly filmed the song in a corner of a school music room on a laptop and uploaded it to YouTube.
However, for this year the song has been professionally recorded with the help of producer Andrew Ironside and Glasshouse Studios and is being released on Youtube, digitally and on CD.
“On ANZAC Day I am looking forward to singing the National Anthem at both the Mudjimba and Maroochydore morning services,” she said.
“Part of saying ‘thank you’, is always remembering and honouring those who have served or who serve today – and that includes those who care for the vulnerable in our health and aged care system as well as the military.”
Fiona’s office has a limited number of CDs to give away along with Australian flags in honour of ANZAC Day or people can listen on her YouTube Channel, Fiona Simpson MP.
The song will eventually be available on music distribution platforms as well.
Sunshine Coast Anzac Day services
CALOUNDRA
5am: Dawn Service Kings Beach Amphitheatre.
8.30am to 9.00am: Citizens and Veterans March – Stockland Shopping Centre Carpark to Caloundra RSL Carpark.
10am: Wreath Laying Service at Caloundra RSL Memorial Garden.
COOLUM-PEREGIAN
5.10am: Gather at entrance to sporting area for march to Cenotaph area .
5.28am: Dawn service commences.
There will be no main service.
COOROY
4.45am: Dawn Service commences at the Memorial Triangle Diamond Street Cooroy.
10.30am: Street Parade, stepping off from the Cooroy Butter Factory.
There will be no main service.
KAWANA
5.28am: Dawn Service commences at Coopers Point Cenotaph adjacent to the Kawana Waters Surf Club at 99 Pacific Blvd Buddina.
10.20am: Form up, March commences 10.35am Cnr of Pacific Boulevard and Weema St Buddina
10.50am: General Service commences with wreath laying.
MALENY
04.28am: Dawn Service at RSL Maleny cenotaph/hall.
9.00am: Witta Cemetery.
9.45am: Commemoration Service Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital.
10.15am: Street March followed by main community service at 10.45 at the Hall/Cenotaph.
MAPLETON
5.30am: Dawn Service at the Village Green Montville.
8.45am: March commences from Wilga Court to RSL Memorial Park adjacent to the Tavern.
9am: Commemoration Service begins. Refreshments available after service.
MAROOCHYDORE
4.28am: Dawn Service at Cotton Tree Cenotaph on Esplanade.
8am: Assembly on Memorial Ave.
8.30am: March commences through Memorial Ave and on to the Cenotaph.
9am: Main Service at Cenotaph.
MUDJIMBA
5.20am: Dawn Service at Power Park Cenotaph
10.30am: Assembly at corner of Coolabah and Mudjimba Beach Road to march to the Cenotaph. Step off at 10.45am
11am: Commemorative Service begins at Cenotaph.
NAMBOUR
5.15am: Assemble at Nambour RSL Club for march to the Wall of Remembrance at Quota Park.
5.30am: Dawn Service to commence at 5.30am.
There will be no Main March or Service.
TEWANTIN – NOOSA
5.30am: Dawn Service commences at the Cenotaph in the Town Square.
6.30am: Cemetery Anzac Service at the Tewantin Noosa RSL Cemetery.
9am: ANZAC Day Main Parade.
9.30am: Main Cenotaph Service of Commemoration including Wreath Laying.
WOODFORD
5am: Dawn Service commences.
10am: Assemble at George Street for 10.15am march-off.
10.30am: Main Commemorative Service begins at Woodford Memorial Park.
YANDINA
No Dawn Service or March.
11am: Main Commemorative Service begins and finishes at approximately 11.30am.
Followed by lunch/refreshments at the hall.
