A growing Sunshine Coast suburb is set to host its first ANZAC Day march on Thursday.
Hundreds of locals are expected to attend a special ceremony at the new Bli Bli Cenotaph, which sits along the Avenue of Honour in the Parklakes estate.
The cenotaph and surrounds are close to the Halcyon Lakeside retirement community, which is home to about 100 veterans who have taken on the ongoing maintenance and activation of the Avenue of Honour.
Halcyon Lakeside veteran Dan Penman said the ANZAC Day ceremony would be a momentous occasion.
“It’s going to be such a special day, not just for the many veterans who live in and around Bli Bli, but we’ve also got hundreds of students from both the Good Samaritan and Bli Bli State schools participating, along with padre David Eden, the Lakeside singers as well as local residents, politicians and businesses,” he said.
“The Avenue on Honour was first proposed by the developers of Parklakes back in 2015 to recognise the many men and women from around here who served in World War I and World War II as well as Vietnam and Afghanistan, but there was nothing to remember them or commemorate their service.
Stay tuned to Sunshine Coast News for a full list of ANZAC Day services around the Coast
“That’s how the Avenue of Honour came to life and the response from the community has been exceptional.
“The ANZAC Day theme this year is ‘Our Freedom Came at a Price’ and we will take the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of all servicemen and servicewomen and their incredible contribution to our nation.
“The whole community is behind this event and we are expecting a huge turn-out. I am certain that we are starting a great new local tradition here at Parklakes.”
In a post to parents, Good Samaritan Catholic College principal Greg Myers said the service at the cenotaph – the second to be held there – would be preceded by the first ANZAC Day march through the suburb from 8.30am.
“For the first time, an ANZAC Day march will take place, and this will be a major milestone for our community,” he said.
“The march will commence at our college and make its way to the cenotaph near the lake on Parklakes Drive.
“The ANZAC commemoration will then take place at 9am, with our college playing a major role in the service.”
Meanwhile, a 98-year-old World War II veteran from Maroochy Waters is preparing his own ANZAC Day tribute.
Lawrence Johnston has participated in the ANZAC Day parade at Cotton Tree since 1991, when he owned and operated a motel there, but his health this year will prohibit his participation in the parade.
“He believes he will have enough energy, however, to get to our front driveway at dawn,” Mr Johnston’s son Larry said.
Mr Johnston was a radar mechanic in Darwin during the war, as well as serving in Morotai (Indonesia), Labuan (Malaysia) and escorting spitfires to Japan.
For residents seeking to access information about ANZAC Day services in their area, a local MP has launched a website.
“It’s important that we honour the ANZAC spirit and remember the sacrifices made by those who have served our nation, and we should celebrate the hard work and contributions of those RSL’s, ex-service organisations and community groups who back our veterans,” federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said.
The Sunshine Coast Turf Club is hosting a commemorative service before its race meet on ANZAC Day.
Flanked by jockeys, the service will be led by chief executive John Miller, with Jeff Sentance from Young Veterans Sunshine Coast reading the ode and Brendan Hucknell on the bugle, followed by a minute’s silence.
The ceremony is at 12.55pm, with the first race set for 1.27pm and the last at 5.33pm.
“ANZAC Day holds profound significance,” Mr Miller said.
“We are honoured to host a raceday that brings our community together to pay tribute to our remarkable service members while enjoying a classic day of thoroughbred racing.
“We also extend our gratitude to Young Veterans Sunshine Coast for their support in coordinating the day’s service.”
Admission is free for current and former service members with a valid military ID or DVA card.
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