ANZAC DAY YOUTH STEPS
Children following the veterans’ lead
BAMIA Mast Junior does not yet realise the weight in the medals pinned to his small chest.
The four-year-old, named after his grandfather, a private in the 51st Torres Strait light battalion who served Australia in World War II from 1942-46, took part in his first Anzac Day march in Innisfail yesterday.
Dressed in his East Innisfail State School uniform and wearing a photo of his ancestor and a poppy, Bamia’s serious face broke into a grin when asked what he thought about the march. “Good,” he answered. Looking at his son, Eddie Mast was overcome with tears as he spoke about the great sacrifices the country’s indigenous men and women made, with often little recognition, during wartime.
“His grandad passed away on Christmas Day in 2015,” he said.
“It makes me proud to see him wearing the medals.
“He carries that legacy for the next generation.
“Bamia loves the defence force, he calls military men, ‘jet men’.”
Private Mast was one of 14,000 returned servicemen and women who were photographed as part of a special project by the Australian War Memorial in 2015 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. It is believed more than 1000 indigenous Diggers served during World War I, while up to 5000 fought in World War II.
Innisfail RSL Sub Branch president Bill Dray said more than 1000 attended yesterday’s dawn service and hundreds lined Fitzgerald Esp and Edith St to watch the parade.
Showers persisted through much of the morning but did not deter crowds.
“So many schoolkids came out to march,” Mr Dray said.
“The number of Diggers have fallen away so we want to encourage any of the young ones to come out and march.”
Mr Dray said the wreathlaying ceremony was always the most poignant part of any Anzac Day.
“You can see there’s something truly solemn and heartfelt emotion in there,” he said.
Jazwinder Singh Gill has handed out free water for the past five years at the town’s Anzac Day march as a way of raising awareness of Sikh soldiers’ roles in the world wars.
He was kept busy along Fitzgerald Esplanade again yesterday.
“Most local communities have no idea about the Sikh Anzacs who died for this country,” Mr Gill said.
“The reaction from people is awesome.
“Lots of people are surprised, even some of the RSL people didn’t know.”