Lest we never forget

AN air of solemnity fell over Cairns yesterday as more than 1000 residents joined the ANZAC Day march and morning service to pay respect to our Diggers and our current service men and women.

By Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Coastguard officer James Williams, of Earlville, and Torres Strait Islander navy veteran Phillip Bowie, of Edmonton, at the Cairns Cenotaph. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Paying tribute to the Indigenous soldiers who fought in World War I, the 2024 ANZAC Day was one for the books with the HMAS Dechaineux crew from Western Australia taking a lead at the morning parade and hundreds of families with young children taking to the streets to celebrate the brave veterans on a beautiful sunny morning.

At the commemorative service, Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and her husband Nick Eden laid a wreath on behalf of Cairns Regional Council and paid tribute to the Anzacs and Indigenous soldiers for their sacrifices that have allowed Australians to live in freedom.

“We gather here this morning to remember and acknowledge those men and women who served so that we can all live without fear and oppression,” she said.

“We also recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in our Defence forces who have served in military uniform from at least the time of federation, taking on voluntary service well before they could even vote.

“ANZAC Day always was and always will be a day that as a country we pause to remember those who on our behalf and for our benefit have served and sacrificed so much, we will remember them, we will respect them, we will honour them.”

Marching was Vietnam war veteran and Torres Strait Islander man Phillip Bowie from Edmonton, who at 74 years old, feels proud to see the FNQ community rally around their veterans.

“I joined the navy in 1965 on Thursday Island, this will be my 59th year attending ANZAC days,” he said.

“I watched my grandfathers, who fought in the Second World War. They used to march up Thursday Island, but it was harder in those days.

“Then I decided to join the navy in 1965 and I was the first Torres Strait Islander man to join the navy, I spent eight months in 1967 at HMAS Melbourne during the Vietnam War, I was only 17.

“I carry my grandfather’s medals with me as well, he fought on the Torres Strait when the Japanese were invading Australia from the north. My grandfather used to tell me stories and that’s where I got the inspiration from.

“Today there are a lot of Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

“This is our country, and we will continue to serve and protect it.

“I’m still wearing my uniform and marching on ANZAC Day at 74.”