Communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait will pause to commemorate Anzac Day this Friday. Photo: Supplied.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
Communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait will pause on Friday to commemorate the incredible contributions of military personnel when a range of Anzac Day events are held across the region.
Weipa RSL sub-branch president Lloyd Williams said the day’s events would start with the traditional march from the skate park to Memorial Square for the dawn service, before the barbecues were fired up for a gunfire breakfast the entire township was welcome to attend.
“The gunfire breakfast on Anzac Day is our major fundraising effort,” he said.
“Everyone is welcome to take part.”
Mr Williams added he believed Cape York’s proximity to south-east Asia meant it was even more vital the efforts of past and present military personnel were acknowledged every 25 April.
“The area is of vital importance to the defence of Australia, both militarily and with respect to biosecurity,” he said.
“Protection of the Cape is vital, and history tells us the efforts that were made to keep it this way; the local Indigenous people went out of their way to help where they could – some served.”
A big crowd is expected at the Weipa Bowls Club in the afternoon for the annual two-up showdown, with the club set to match fundraising efforts of the sub-branch during the event.
“It’s just an important day to commemorate and the club’s definitely happy to help out where it can,” operations manager Karen Phillips said.
“The club will open from 1pm, and we’ll kick the two-up off from about 2pm.”
In Cooktown, a dawn service will be held at 6am in William Daku Park, with the those wanting to participate in the main service march asked to assemble at the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club at 10:15am before a second service in Anzac Park at 11am.
To find out what’s happening in your community, check out your local council’s Facebook page.
