National Servicemen's Association of Australia Bayside Branch sunrise service at Manly. Pictured is Australian Army cadet Mitchell Britton, 15, with Trigger McCafferty, 80. Picture: Chris Mccormack Source: Quest Newspapers
HUGE crowds have turned out for Anzac Day services across the southeast to honour those who have served in the defence of Australia.
Here is a wrap of what has happened near you. Check back for regular updates or click this link to find out what else is scheduled today.
Bribie Island
WOORIM Beach was the perfect backdrop to Bribie Island's Anzac Day Dawn Service this morning.
More than 3000 people gathered at the Woorim war memorial to mark the 98th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand forces' landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.
Despite the size of the crowd there was a quiet reverence during the service, broken only by the sound of waves breaking against the shore.
Vietnam War veteran Graham McIlvanie, a former 2RAR infantry soldier, said the Woorim service had grown from a few hundred people 10 years ago to thousands.
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He said the sound of the waves combine with the peace and serenity of the park and Moreton Bay fig trees set Woorim apart from other services.
National Servicemen's Association of Australia Bayside Branch sunrise service at Manly. Pictured are Australian Army cadets. Picture: Chris Mccormack
Mr McIlvanie, who attended with his wife Heather, thanked the local Navy and Army cadets for turning out to support the veterans and ex-servicemen.
"I congratulated all those young fellows for their participation," he said. "They need encouragement and to know their efforts are appreciated."
TS Koopa Australian Navy Cadets provided this year's catafalque party while Banksia Beach State School captains Anna Goodman and Jasper Lay trumpeted The Last Post and Reveille.
ANC Lieutenant Michael Bierton said the Woorim dawn service was among the best in the region.
"It's not like being there, but you can get a feel for how the diggers arrived on the beach and you can hear the waves breaking in the background," he said.
Bribie Island is home to more than 1000 veterans and ex-servicemen and its RSL Sub-branch has about 800 registered members.
Moreton Bay
National Servicemen's Association of Australia Bayside Branch sunrise service at Manly. Pictured is Lily McIvor from the Australian Army cadets. Picture: Chris Mccormack
EVEN the strongest and bravest of men fought back tears at the Redcliffe dawn service as poet Rupert McCall paid tribute to the true meaning of ANZAC.
"This is a tribute to a century of care. Mates helping mates. This is a true story," McCall passionately proclaimed before reciting his three-minute poem penned especially for the Redcliffe Peninsula's dawn service.
"He fell hard at Gallipoli, he bore the bullet's brunt. He will never be forgotten, where he held the western front," the 6000-strong crowd on Redcliffe's beachfront heard.
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In a tribute to all wars and conflict, the emotional rendition hit close to home for a group of about 20 soldiers who served in Afghanistan and were present at the Redcliffe dawn service.
"They served in every corner, every woman, every man. And still, they serve with honour, and like Darren Smith, Afghanistan."
Redcliffe RSL Sub-Branch president Neville Cullen said he had never seen a crowd as big or as passionate as the one this morning.
Pine Rivers / Kallangur
Anzac Day dawn service at Club Pine Rivers, Bray Park. Picture: Russell Brown
ON A beautiful crisp and cloudless dawn, thousands in Pine Rivers paid their respects to fallen Australians of all wars.
The symbols of Anzac Day, old and new, were plentiful at the Bray Park/Strathpine RSL ceremony in Club Pine Rivers.
Military berets and slouch hats sat above coat breasts bulging with medals. The wheel-chairs were fewer again this year, showing the signs of the passing of more diggers.
But infant sons clung to the shoulders of fathers remembering past loved ones and hoping for a future free of war for their little boys.
Regular attendees estimated the crowd at more than double last year's record numbers.
It was a similar tale at the Pine Rivers District RSL Sub Branch service in Kallangur where thousands gathered to pay their respects.
Logan
HUNDREDS woke early to pay their respects to our past and present service men and women at Anzac Day dawn services around Logan.
Anzac Day dawn service at Club Pine Rivers, Bray Park. Picture: Russell Brown
About 700 people gathered at Logan Village Cenotaph for the wreath laying ceremony, The Ode and the sounding of The Last Post.
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Logan Village RSL sub-branch president Terry Flanagan said he was impressed with last year's dawn service crowds but this year was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up.
"It's lovely to see the young kids come down and attend," he said.
"Logan Village is a fairly little place but to see that amount of people come down is great."
Bethania woman Melanie Moreland attended with husband Chris and their children Sarah, 11, and Josh, 9.
She said it was the second year the family had been to the Anzac Day dawn service at Logan Village.
Anzac Day dawn service, Beenleigh. Picture: Renae Droop
"We think it's important for the kids to understand what Anzac is all about so it's not just a word but the meaning behind the word," she said.
"We have found Logan Village has a really good community feel about it."
Large crowds also gathered at Beenleigh including Rivermount College student Harry Griffiths who wore his great grandfather's medals.
Morningside
THOUSANDS of families, children and returned serviceman braved the cool air for dawn services on Brisbane's east side this morning.
At Morningside, scouts led the 4.15am march with a full moon creating a picture-perfect backdrop for the 98th anniversary of Anzac Day.
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The crowd heard that during the 1980s only 40 braved the early service on Wynnum Rd while today that number had swollen to at least 200.
Anzac Day dawn service, Beenleigh. Picture: Renae Droop
Reverend Allen Anderson addressed the crowd by saying the Anzac spirit lived on through those of us who cherished their memory.
"Those sacrifices were made from people then for those of us now," he said.
Wynnum
AT least one thousand turned out for the 5am service at the Wynnum RSL Club while Darling Point's Sunrise event also featured record numbers.
Morning walkers attended the ceremony with their dogs while kayakers out for a morning paddle on Moreton Bay also showed their respect.
Young Wynnum resident Ashley Petit stole the show when he laid flowers at the memorial in honour of the fallen and Vietnam veteran Russell Wiseman said it was such moments that made Anzac Day so special.
The bayside branch of the National Servicemen's Association held its march from 8am with Wynnum following soon after.
Acacia Ridge
RESPECTFUL silence in honour of the fallen brought the Acacia Ridge Anzac Day commemoration ceremony to a close this morning.
Veterans march in Goodna's Anzac Day parade 2013. Picture: Jane Chudleigh
Grandparents, parents and school children sat side by side in soundless prayer to remember the sacrifices made in the name of liberty.
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The ceremony at Grenier Park attracted more than 100 community members who paid their respects under the direction of the Sunnybank RSL sub branch.
Dignitaries included State Member for Sunnybank Mark Stewart and Craig Wood who represented Cr Steven Griffiths.
Students of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic primary school read the Anzac Day resolutions, which were followed by a poignant laying of wreaths.
Holland Park
The Holland Park RSL sub branch's 8am service at the WJ Scott Park this year enjoyed a turnout topping 1000.
The sunny morning saw state member for Greenslopes Ian Kaye and federal member for Bonner Ross Vasta join local police representatives and a dozen of local groups including most nearby schools, scout groups, Rotary and the Mount Gravatt Historical Association and the Mount Gravatt Salvation Army to lay wreaths in a ceremony led by sub branch president Alan Hellier.
Carindale
Defence Force cadets march in Goodna's Anzac Day parade 2013. Picture: Jane Chudleigh
IT was a beautiful, crisp morning at the Tarragindi service at Ekibin Memorial Park where close to one thousand people came to pay their respects to fallen Australian soldiers.
Starting with a march led by the Carindale Salvation Army Band it was a short and simple yet moving commemoration to the men and women who gave their lives to in the name of liberty.
People of all ages, from veterans to toddlers and babies, were out in force to honour those who have served and continue to serve to protect the country. School children, boy scouts, politicians and members of the general public all gathered at the park.
Lieutenant Steven Rusman gave a moving speech, speaking of the sacrifice of fellow soldiers, both in the past and those currently serving.
It was a poignant moment as the Last Post was played by a lone trumpeter, The Ode was read by Yeronga/Dutton Park RSL Sub Branch president Kevin Fitzgerald and a moment's silence was held to remember the fallen.
More reports coming soon.
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Defence Force cadets march in Goodna's Anzac Day parade 2013. Picture: Jane Chudleigh
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