PREPARATIONS to adequately mark the Anzac centenary has created a hive of activity in Tea Gardens during the past two weeks and will to continue to do so.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The World War I display in Tea Gardens Library opened on Monday, April 13, the same day the M2A2 Howitzer Gun secured by the Tea Gardens RSL Sub-Branch was installed in Anzac Park.
Last Friday, April 17, an Anzac bowls day was held at Tea Gardens Bowling Club.
An Anzac Day service was to be held at Peter Sinclair Gardens on Wednesday, April 22, followed by the unveiling of a new memorial in Anzac Park by Great Lakes Mayor Jan McWilliams on Friday, April 24, and a golf day at Hawks Nest Golf Club.
While there were no vacancies left to take part in the golf day, residents were encouraged to attend Anzac Park at 11am on Friday to watch the memorial unveiling.
‘‘This memorial is dedicated to the WWI veterans from the area,’’ Tea Gardens RSL Sub-Branch president Barry Whiteman said.
All of this, of course, was preceding the big event – Anzac Day.
Mr Whiteman said a focus for the sub-branch this year was to encourage more young people and veterans to attend its services on Saturday, April 25.
The sub-branch was anticipating greater numbers at its 6am dawn service, which usually draws up to 700 people, and upwards of 1000 people lining Marine Drive for the 10am march to Anzac Park.
Services would remain relatively unchanged this year, including the donation of books to Tea Gardens Public School during the main service.
However, this year a boat and members of the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club on surfboards would be in the river as a sign of respect when the bugle was sounded.
Seating in front of the Anzac Park cenotaph would be made available to veterans who were not able to march down Marine Drive for the main service.
Tea Gardens Library would be open.
The library display will be open until May 8.