Whitsundays prepares for Anzac Day services

A flyover by a 38 SQN King Air will make for an even more memorable Anzac Day in Proserpine next Wednesday when the new president of the Proserpine RSL Sub Branch Jason Raiteri hosts his first service.

Mr Raiteri says the commemorative event begins with the dawn service at 4.28am at the cenotaph on the lawns outside the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. This will be followed by a breakfast at the RSL from 6am which everyone is invited to attend. The flyover by the King Air will take place at 10.30am in conjunction with the march which leaves the RSL at the same time. Lunch will then be served at the RSL from 12.30pm.

“The Proserpine RSL Sub-Branch invites and welcomes all members of our community to attend the Anzac Day ceremonies,” Mr Raiteri said.

“I urge everyone to enjoy the camaraderie of the day and reflect on the freedom we have living in this great nation of ours. It has come at a very high price,” he said.

Guest speaker on the day will be Warrant Officer Richard Judd, who has 40 years’ service in the RAAF, many of those with Mr Raiteri at 75 SQN. Other guests include Jason Costigan, Member for Whitsunday and Cr Rogin Taylor Deputy Mayor.

“On this cenotaph behind me, there are 19 names from WW1, 36 names from WW2 and 1 from Korea. Considering the population of Proserpine at the time of those conflicts, that is a horrendous toll for a small community. Many of the names of the fallen are familiar as the descendants of these men still live in the district today. In Proserpine, the names of the fallen are read at the dawn service and it is quite a touching moment. The numbers attending the dawn service is increasing each year and I hope the trend continues next Wednesday.”

Airlie Beach's dawn service will begin at 5.30am at the new Cannonvale Cenotaph followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Reef Gateway from 6.30am.