Tweed remembers

THOUSANDS of community members braved intermittent rain to attend ANZAC ceremonies across the region last Friday morning.

Heavy weather did not deter large crowds in Kingscliff and Cudgen from reflecting upon and honouring Australian service people.

 

The Kingscliff RSL sub-Branch held a small pre-dawn service at the Cudgen War Memorial at Cudgen Public School.

In Kingscliff, one of the largest crowds in memory, with more than 1000 people attending, gathered for the 6am service at Rowan Robinson Park cenotaph, followed by the annual gunfire breakfast at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club.

 

Sub-branch secretary Hayden Drayman said hosting three services allowed more community members to participate.

“Cudgen is of historical significance as back then we did not have Kingscliff and Pottsville and Cabarita,” Drayman said.

 

“So, we hold the 4.28am service at Cudgen in line with the time the troops landed on Gallipoli.”

Crowds also gathered at Cabarita Surf Club for a wet and wild dawn commemoration.

 

Elsewhere in the shire, pre-dawn services were held at Tumbulgum and Uki, while dawn services took place at Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Tyalgum.

 

Morning services were held at Pottsville and Burringbar, and the annual 5.30am paddle out at Cabarita Beach went ahead despite the rain.

 

The Tweed-Coolangatta RSL sub-Branch said the Tweed Heads march and service had been cancelled for the safety and wellbeing of veterans due to severe weather.

 

The Murwillumbah march was also cancelled, and the main 10.45am service was moved to the Murwillumbah Civic Centre.

Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot attended services in Kingscliff and Tweed Heads, laying wreaths alongside local students.

 

“We remember all those who lost their lives, all those who survived and came home and all those who came home and carried the war within them,” Elliot said.

 

“We acknowledge their sacrifice, courage and the bonds of camaraderie forged under fire, and the cruel realities of loss, pain, and suffering.

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank the many men and women who are serving our nation at this present time right across the world.

 

“We thank them for their service as they continue to protect our freedom – and our way of life and our values.

“We all owe them, and their families, a continued debt of gratitude.”

 

Twin Towns in Tweed Heads hosted a wet-weather family day, screening the day’s marches and services on the big screen.