Tag: ANZAC Day

Historic Anzac Day Service Moved Inside Kalinga Park as Attendance Soars

The Clayfield-Toombul RSL Sub Branch has a long-standing tradition of hosting its Anzac Day service at the historic gates of Kalinga Park in Clayfield since 1920. However, due to the substantial increase in attendance, reaching close to 3,000 people in 2023, the service has been relocated inside the park for the first time in more than a century.

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This change is part of a broader trend in Queensland, with over 350 Anzac Day services and marches expected to draw tens of thousands of people, signifying a return to pre-pandemic commemorations, as stated by RSL Queensland.

A representative from the Clayfield-Toombul RSL Sub Branch explained that the Kalinga Park gates no longer provided sufficient space as the crowds grew, fueled by a rising number of younger members. 



Consequently, moving the service to the park’s main area allowed for an even larger gathering where individuals can come together to honour the fallen and serving Diggers.

The spokesperson further elaborated on the reasons behind the relocation, emphasising that the memorial gates at Kalinga Park are situated at the end of a residential street. This setting posed a challenge as the Anzac Day gathering continued to expand. 

Photo credit: Clayfield-Toombul RSL/Facebook

By transferring the service to the park itself, the event can accommodate more attendees and facilitate its ongoing growth. 

To enhance the commemoration, the Clayfield-Toombul Sub Branch has commissioned a new 3m ‘interactive’ cenotaph, wherein attendees will have the opportunity to attach poppy magnets personalised with the names of their loved ones who served.

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During the Anzac Day service in 2023, veterans and local school children marched the wreaths laid at the cenotaph to the memorial gates, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Published 12-May-2023

Clayfield College Student Among 2018 Premier’s ANZAC Prize Winners

Isabelle Jardine, a Year 11 student from Clayfield College, has been announced as one of the eight winners of the  2018 Premier’s ANZAC Prize who will travel to Villers-Bretonneux, France this month.

Photo credit: www.clayfield.qld.edu.au

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace announced the eight students and two teacher chaperones selected for the 2018 Premier’s ANZAC Prize on Monday, 15 January 2018.

Ms Grace represented Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk when she met with the prize winners at the State Library of Queensland where the students participated in a two-day Young Historians’ Workshop in preparation for their trip to the site of the Western Front this month.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

The Anzac Prize students laying a wreath at the dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux, France on 2017. Photo credit: anzac100.initiatives.qld.gov.au

Jardine and her fellow prize winners will be given a chance to experience the ANZAC tradition firsthand. The students and their teacher chaperones are set to travel to London and the Western Front to visit key sites in Australian war history.

On ANZAC Day, 25 April 2018, they will attend the historic centenary dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France which will allow them to pay their respects during the commemorations. They will also be among the first visitors of the Sir John Monash Museum which will open its doors to visitors on Tuesday, 24 April 2018 just in time for ANZAC Day 2018.

ANZAC Commemoration

“ANZAC”, which stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was the name given to a combined force of First Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Army troops who landed on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula on Sunday, 25th of April, 1915. ANZAC Day is a solemn public remembrance of the anniversary of the landings.

Veterans march on Anzac Day, Brisbane, 1937. Photo credit: State Library of Queensland/Wikimedia Commons

After more than 100 years, the high school students are remembering the bravery and sacrifices made by many Australians and New Zealanders in Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

Premier’s ANZAC Prize

The Queensland Government values the ANZAC tradition and has since sent 96 students and 18 teacher-chaperones to some of the most significant battlefields of the First World War from the first tour in 2013.

Education Minister Grace Grace (centre) Acting Director General Annette Whitehead (left of Min Grace) and six of the eight winners at the State Library of Queensland. Photo credit: statements.qld.gov.au

In a recent statement, Ms Grace said, “This award has effectively engaged our younger generation in understanding the Anzac tradition and how the Anzac spirit is instilled in the Australian way of life.”

The Queensland Anzac Centenary is also supporting this important initiative to keep the memory of the Australian and New Zealander servicemen and women alive.

Apart from Jardine, other students who won the Premier’s ANZAC Prize includes Fenlan Miller of All Saints Anglican School, Isaac Mabo-Edwards of Pimlico State High School,  Harry Packwood of Shalom College, Bundaberg, Jack Frey of St Teresa’s Catholic College, Lillian Ward of Tannum Sands State High School, Shana Coyle of St Monica’s College, Cairns, and Tyla Craven-Griffith of Kirwan State High School.

Travelling with Jardine and the other students are Mrs Jodi Pallett of Tannum Sands State High School, who is the lead chaperone, and Mr Tim McMahon of Christian Outreach College, Toowoomba.