Anzac Day 2020 – Relived at Home

Like most Australians living through this pandemic of COVID-19 we showed our endearing love to our veterans of past wars by awaking at dawn and lighting a candle at the front of our driveway on the morning of 25^th April.

I was thrilled to see many of our street neighbours all standing at ease listening to our radio broadcast of a city Anzac Service, along with our neighbour’s son all dressed in his school uniform and playing the Last Post with his clarinet.

To top it off and with perfect timing two WW2 Spitfire planes flew at low level above our estate flown by two veterans who had defied our inept State Govt who banned their fly past but like all veterans, when there is a mission, nothing holds them back. We applauded their defiance and show of their magnificent planes. We stand united with them.

After showing our respect; and sunrise now well into its showcase I walked the 6klms around our estate to see many families congregating in several streets and in compliance to the set social distancing and communicating in good spirits. Several homes still left their candles out, along with their Australian flags, poppies and memorabilia.

Looking into the sunrise, the local junior airstrip had a skydiver parachuting downwards with a giant Australian Flag suspending from his ankle. A magnificent sight and very pleased they had co-ordinated this event.

Another reason for doing this blog was to show you all a tremendous salute to our fallen local soldiers of WW1 that is currently being painted on the estate side of the noise barrier off Exit 45 on the M1 at Ormeau on Creek St opposite Reedmans Rd Reserve (ex-Pacific Hwy). My post and no doubt the mural coincides with the recent 75^th anniversary of WW2 surrender of Germany & Japan on 8^th May this year.

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A local group is delivering on a grant to paint this giant mural of some 150m long on the metal sound barrier with portraits of the 7 local soldiers that never returned in WW1. These soldiers’ names are from the local cenotaph (Empty Tomb) at the Southern overpass (Mirambeena Dr) still called Exit 45 (Service Rd) which is well-known with a soldier statue located at the Pimpama Cemetery and Uniting Church. Each year the Anzac service grows in volume due to the housing boom in this area. The annual Anzac Day commemoration is extra special here and enjoyed at the completion with a coffee/ tea and cake/ pikelets, biscuits (everything home-made) in the church hall at the rear of the church put on by the Anzac Committee for a gold coin donation. To learn more about these local legends and their history there are several posts compiled in the Pimpama & Ormeau War Memorial Committee Facebook page.

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This Cenotaph was built in 1919 and is heritage listed. It was moved in the 1990s further into the cemetery when the old Pacific Hwy was widened before the M1 construction. The photo is courtesy of Cal Mackinnon. It was well-known as the halfway point travelling between Brisbane & the Gold Coast and children would salute the soldier as their parents drove past.

The 7 soldiers were all Privates in the army. The Stewarts were all brothers; so that’s a massive tragedy for one family to bear. This mural shows actual faces with their names scribed below each portrait which is monumental in showing the faces of true local legends that paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. The mural clearly displays the local lifestyle and commerce in that period along with the Uniting Church in its current and yet, original form.

John W Peachey

Percival T James

Robert Stewart

William Stewart

George Stewart

David Wilkie

William Williamson

This mural is yet to be completed but it’s really taking shape and will be ready for this year’s Remembrance Day on 11am 11^th November 2020. I don’t know who this group of painters are but they are doing a superb job and look forward to its completion. Every time we head South along Creek St to do our food shopping at Helensvale, we take notice of the progress. Unfortunately, there’s little safe area to stop and view it more closely so I might have to include this in my estate walks as a safer option.

We Will Remember Them … Lest We Forget

I trust you have enjoyed this local story and many thanks for reading my blogs. Stay safe, happy & healthy.