THE Anzac spirit was alive and well as crowds gathered in Main Street to remember those who served in conflicts.
While veterans, school children and emergency services marched, the rain came down, but no one was deterred or complained.
At the morning service Billin O’Connor-Bowrey from Tamborine Mountain State High School captivated the crowd with the Junior address.
Billen’s great grandfather, Stanley Yuke, an Aboriginal man from Beaudesert, fought in Tobruk during World War II.
“He fought alongside his cousin Gilbert Levi, who gave an account of his time at war in an interview shortly before he died in 1990.”
“Gilly had no idea that he would see some of the harshest fighting in the entire war,” said Billin.
“After brief training at Redbank, he was sent to the Middle East, where the Germans were waging a fierce campaign.”
“He was introduced to active service at Tobruk, where an exhausted group of Australian and English troops hauled up in a small seaside village in Libya, and kept the surrounding Germans at bay for months.”
“The allied troops had no air support, little ammunition and were easy pickings for the German and Italian bombers.”
“Morale remained high, despite the seemingly hopeless odds.”
“‘We had a lot of mates’, he said, ‘We also had a lot of casualties,’ he added sadly”.
Days after the interview, Gilly passed away.
“This is how we can honor the Anzacs and all those who have fought for this country to not just appreciate, but to truly commemorate their sacrifice,” said Billen.
“In doing so we can ensure that the wisdom and stories of yesterdays Anzacs can be held on to today and carry into tomorrow.”
For our entire gallery, click here: https://tamborinemountainnews.pixieset.com/anzacday2025
