Defence-affiliated organisations and schools are being urged to register now to participate in this year’s Anzac Day parades.
The Townsville and Thuringowa RSL sub-branches, in partnership with the Townsville City Council, are finalising plans for Anzac Day commemorations to proceed in their traditional locations following the Queensland Government’s relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
Details of the various Anzac Day commemorations being held across Townsville this year are:
Townsville City:
5:20am – Dawn Service, Anzac Park, The Strand
8:30am – Parade form up at Strand Park
9:00am – Parade step-off (parade proceeds from Strand Park along The Strand into Anzac Park)
Thuringowa:
5:40am – Dawn Service, Village Green, Riverway Precinct
8:30am – Parade form up at Weir School car park
9:00am – Parade step-off (Parade proceeds from Weir School along Ross River Road into the Riverway Precinct)
9:30am – Mid-morning Service, Village Green, Riverway Precinct
Schools can register by visiting this site while registrations for community organisations could be made here.
Townsville RSL sub-branch president Bill Whitburn OAM said registrations for the parades would close at midnight on Thursday, April 1.
“The RSL sub-branches and Council have already contacted those schools and community organisations who have participated in the march in previous years and invited them to register,” Mr Whitburn said.
“We would have preferred to give others more time to register, however April 25 is now only five weeks away and we need to finalise our plans as soon as possible to ensure our commemorations run smoothly.
“We know local schools and many community organisations want to show their support for our servicemen and women by marching on Anzac Day so my message to them is register as soon as possible.”
Members of the public would be able to watch a live broadcast of the event through the Townsville City Council website, while a number of local radio stations had committed to broadcasting the event.
Thuringowa RSL sub-branch president Jeremy Browne said Anzac Day was incredibly important to many of the residents of our garrison city.
“The RSL sub-branches have been working hard to ensure as many people as possible can participate this year,” Mr Browne said.
“We are thankful that the Queensland Government has eased COVID-19 restrictions to allow us to run our local events as close as possible to commemorations held in previous years.
“We still have to be mindful of the threat of COVID so anyone who wakes up on April 25 feeling unwell should not attend any of the events.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said Council was proud to support the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL sub-branches to deliver Anzac Day events for the community.
“Each year Council proudly supports the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL sub-branches to deliver Anzac Day events for the community,” she said.
“While some restrictions have been relaxed, there are still some measures that we are being asked to implement by Queensland Health and Council is supporting the sub-branches in doing that.
“Members of the public will also be able to watch a live broadcast of the Townville City dawn service and parade through the Townsville City Council website.”