ANZAC Day services were celebrated across Kingborough on Sunday, April 25, after the Dawn Services were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Kingston Beach RSL Club Sub-branch invited the community to the 6.30am Dawn Service and wreath laying ceremony at Kingston Beach Esplanade, followed by a march for the service and ex-service people in attendance.
The Sub-branch also encouraged people unable to attend to stand at the foot of their driveways with a candle or lamp to remember the fallen as part of the Light the Dawn movement, which was how the local Kingborough community honoured ANZAC Day in 2020 due to the cancellation of local services.
Services at Kingston Beach were led by MC Peter Gee, with Reverend Peter Ball and Father Michael Delany.
Year 10 student Felicity Jackson from Southern Christian College was invited to be the guest speaker as part of the morning’s events.
A large number of community members and organisations laid wreathes and floral tributes at the services, including the Kingston Beach RSL branch, Sub-branch and Women’s Auxiliary, the Navy, Army and Airforce, the Allied forces, Army and Navy cadets, Kingston Legacy Widows, the World War I nurses, Kingborough Council, government representatives and politicians, Tas Police, the Rotary Club of Kingston, Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Boronia Girl Guides, Kingston Scouts and many local schools.
Community members were thrilled to have ANZAC Day return over the weekend and many also attended the gunfire breakfast at the Kingston Beach RSL Club Rooms that followed the morning service.
The Taroona Ex-Services Club also held a Dawn Service, with a march taking place beforehand and a gunfire breakfast after in the Taroona Community Hall courtesy of the Taroona Ex-Services Club and the Apex Club of Kingborough and Taroona.
The Kingston Unit of the Australian Army Cadets also attended the Taroona Dawn Service, with a Catafalque party taking part in the formal proceedings.
Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Gutwein MP paid respect on Anzac Day to all Tasmanian service men and women.
“I encourage all Tasmanians today to take a moment of quiet reflection and shine a light on the bravery and valour of those who have given their all to defend our state, our country and our way of life,” Premier Gutwein said.
“For those who have served and for those who have fallen.
“Lest we forget.”
Pictured: Taroona Ex-Services Club President Martin Potter and Secretary Chris Horris at the 2021 ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Sunday, April 25. Pick up a physical copy of the Kingborough Chronicle or download a digital copy at https://kingboroughchronicle.com.au/read-our-newspapers
