ANZAC Day, 2017. All posts & photos welcome here!
 

It's nearly that time again, as any Aussies and Kiwis will know.
ANZAC Day, 2017, is just a few hours away now. I'm not going to sleep much tonight.
We've arrived in Brisbane CBD, and the hotel staff have obliged my request at time of booking, for a room looking over ANZAC Square.
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If only the large tree wasn't out there, I could see the eternal flame easily. We could literally open our window and listen to the dawn service, but that's not how you do it. The Cenotaph is off to the left of photo.....behind a tree, totally obscured from our room view. Somebody here has an evil sense of humor.
The largest Brisbane dawn service will be held here, and the Eternal Flame and The Cenotaph are arguably the most 'sacred' of memorial sites in Brisbane.
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Earlier this afternoon, we watched the Catafalque Party practicing for tomorrow. It's a moving thing to watch, even out of context of ANZAC Day service itself.
Floral tributes and wreaths have already begun to accumulate. I watched a lady carrying a modest wreath as she approached an official guarding the eternal flame, and was granted access to lay her tribute. She approached the flame, presented her tribute, and immediately burst into tears. I can only wonder who the flowers were in remembrance of.
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Adding to the experience, there is a permanent display off an underground walkway, paying homage to those who have participated in all conflicts Australia has participated in. The corridor in one room is lined with plaques dedicated to individual units and organisations. Well worth a look.

Please feel free to post any thoughts, anecdotes, experiences of the day, and of course.....plenty of photos.

:remember LEST WE FORGET :remember

I have been very busy over the past week or so preparing my fleet of 8 Series Lnd Rovers for the local parade in my hometown, I just hope the weather holds, cheers Dennis :sheep:

Show us lots of photos afterwards, please Dennis!
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Things are already happening here this evening. There was a group assembled near the Cenotaph at about 1845hrs, doing a prayer and hymn thing, for peace. They've got their work cut out for them, if they think that's ever going to be an outcome, but god bless em for hoping!
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Also been some sort of school students service down the square a little way. Several politicians spoke on subject of Nurses lost in battles, and the Centaur was mentioned specifically. Dreadful crime that was. For those not of oceanic blood, the Centaur was a marked hospital ship which the japanese knowingly sunk in 1942, with many medical and nursing staff lost to the sea.
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Been snapping away. Trying to get my camera optimal for Dawn Service.
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This last one is one of my favorites!

Brisbane Dawn Service, ANZAC Day, 2017
 

Brisbanes Dawn Service was a fitting tribute, and the Cenotaph took on a dramatic, almost eerie appearance, with the colored lighting. Even more so when the lights of ANZAC Square extinguished for commencement of the service.
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We had good vantage points for both the Dawn Service and ANZAC Parade. That's what happens when you take your positions over an hour early for each event! The Parade was HUGE! I've not seen anything like it. My hands are numb from clapping. Parade went for well over 2 hours, and we both enjoyed every minute. My Wife took 50+ photos. I took nearly 460 images. I have a real problem in choosing which few to post on this thread. Regardless of which i select, i will most DEFINITELY include the one participant who brought tears to my eyes. I say that without embarrassment. He was a World War Two veteran who could hardly stand, let alone walk, but walk he did, using 2x walking sticks with a carer following him with his wheelchair. They really were our greatest generation. This poor old sod who struggled with each precarious step, but he just kept going. I suspect he made rhe whole length of the parade distance without assistance. That, and other photos, to follow later this evening.

Poring rain in Batlow so we had an indoor service, no photos I forgot the camera, would only get a sea of heads as it was a packed hall. Was a bit disappointed that one man in his thirty's couldn't go without his beer for the ceremony.

Paynesville Vic.
 

A very wet ANZAC DAY in Paynesville this year with a very large crowd. I have been living here since 1974 and this is the first wet Anzac Day I can remember. I was chauffeured today in my White Scout Car by my son Geoff. This is the 31st time that my White Scout car has taken part in Paynesville and Bairnsdale Anzac Day Parades. I was very pleasantly surprised to see one of our highway patrol saluting the entire march. Today, the engraved granite plaques were unveiled on the Cenotaph after much investigations to ensure that all those who should be on the Cenotaph in remembrance, are there. Roger Ross attended as usual with his Jeep. Thanks Geoff and Roger. So on to Bairnsdale.

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The 31st time in a row that this White Scout Car has attended both Paynesville and Bairnsdale Anzac Day Marches.

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Roger Ross following the marchers.

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One of our finest saluted the entire march. Well Done That Man!

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The new man in town with the new granite plaques unveiled today.

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The repast after the march.

After Paynesville's march, Geoff drove the White SC into Bairnsdale with me as passenger where we joined with 7 other VMVC vehicles for the Bairnsdale March. This is the 31st year the White SC has attended. 4 Jeeps, a Dodge WC, a Yankee Joe, an F15A and my White SC made up the vehicles this year. The crowd was down on previous years, but the weather was not good.

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The late John Leadoux's F15A driven by his son Daniel comes onto the highway next to Dave ettmans Yankee Joe behind the Scout Car.

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Alan Carpenters Jeep with part of the crowd.

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Jacelyn and her Ford Jeep at their first Bairnsdale Anzac Day March.

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The 31st time this M3A1 White Scout car has attended both Paynesville and Bairnsdale Anzac Day Marches.

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F15A, Yankee Joe and me with my White SC.

Albury NSW
 

I had a local tilt tray (Albury Auto Body Repairs http://www.alburyautobody.com.au/ ) donate their time, truck & driver to collect my BGC from home at 0630hr and take it to Dean St Albury prior to the roads being closed.
Parked in front of the cinema and had approx 9 Jeeps, 1 Humvee and an Austin Champ (several other modern cars as well) form up behind me.
Pored with rain most or all of the time.
Parade commenced at 0900hr with a short run down the main street and turning into the side road where the Commercial Club is.
The BGC lead the WW2 contingent.
Picked up in the rain and delivered home by 1030hr.
Some pics
1. the night before tarped over due to the rain front approaching at 0100hr
2. in front of the Cinema
3. Police car posed for pic

Anzac day at Seymour
 

Great turn out with a strong Military presence.

Dave,

Is that jeep passenger John B - retired RAEME??

Mike

Most certainly is Mike a fine gentleman indeed, knees a little sore so his first Anzac day without marching. He was sitting in our Austin Champ the same model that he drove in 1 Armoured in the 60's.

Ooops my powers of recognition slipped, an Austin Champ it is indeed!

John still enjoys swinging a spanner: he's in the process of installing a replacement Meteor in a Centurion (with a little help from his mates).

Mike

It is a small world indeed.

He most certainly is working on the Armoured Musuems Cent, a very talented man indeed. Has just retrieved a NOS anxillary motor from the Musuem and is installing that at the moment.

Would you like me to pass on your regards to John?


All is forgiven for calling a Champ a Jeep just dont make the mistake again. :yappy:

Dave.

Yes, please, I would like you to do that.

.... and I'll try not to offend the jeep drivers ever again.... :doh:

Mike (a jeep driver....) :salute: