North takes time to
Leaders honour city’s strong connection to military
IN the shade of The Strand’s fig trees, people gathered to acknowledge Remembrance Day on Friday morning.
Townsville RSL president Bill Whitburn said he was surprised by the size of the crowd.
“I’m particularly pleased to see so many schools here. In my day we never leant anything about this,” Mr Whitburn said.
Townsville RSL vice president Wayne Preedy lead the event.
“I try not to look out at the crowd because I get emotional. It takes me back to remembering brothers and sisters who aren’t here anymore,” Mr Preedy said. “To me personally, Remembrance Day is about remembering my grandfather who served in WWII and the people I served with who’ve passed away.”
Observed on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month every year, Remembrance Day sits on the exact hour peace began after the ‘Great War’, a conflict so bloody people were convinced it would end all wars.
Sadly, the Great War was followed by World War II and it was renamed World War I.
Mr Whitburn said the 2022 event was not only about remembering the World Wars, but the 42 Australian soldiers who’ve lost their lives since 2002 and those who struggle with injuries and mental health after coming home.
RAAF wing commander Naomi Gill said after 104 years of commemorating Remembrance Day, the event still retained it’s original purpose of acknowledging past and present serving members.
“I’ve had a lot of family that served in the military,” she said.
“My grandfather’s name is on a plaque just over there, so it's a very special day for me.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said when the guns fell silent on the western front, Townsville was a town of just 15,000 people.
“Townsville is now the largest garrison city in Australia … its only when we look back on the past we can understand where we are today and can walk towards more tolerance, understanding and a world of peace,” Cr Hill said. –