Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club and The Surf Club Mooloolaba invite the community to its ANZAC Day Dawn Service at 5am on Friday 25 April at Mooloolaba Beach.
This deeply moving tribute will honour the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand service men and women, past and present.
As the first light of dawn breaks over the ocean, boat crews will silently paddle out to sea, laying wreaths of native Australian flowers, before raising their oars to the haunting echoes of the Last Post.
In a powerful tribute to the ANZACs, a lone horseman from the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, Woombye Troop, will gallop along Mooloolaba Beach. This year following the sad passing of the beloved ANZAC Day horse Jack, his legacy will live on through Bill, ridden by Rusty Perry.
The ceremony will feature retired Defence Force veterans leading the ANZAC Day Ode, the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Bel Canto Choir, and a didgeridoo solo by Peter Tilney.
Honouring New Zealand’s servicemen and women, the ceremony will also include a Māori Haka and the New Zealand national anthem, sung by Graham Stewart.
MSLSC Nippers, including those from military families, will lay 12 wreaths representing Australia and New Zealand’s past campaigns, wars, peacekeeping missions, and nurses.
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club president Trent Robinson said, “This year marks the 16th anniversary of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Mooloolaba Beach – an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come together in remembrance and gratitude for the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.”
“What began as a small gathering, led by MSLSC Vietnam Veterans has grown into a deeply moving tribute, now attended by around 10,000 people each year.
“It is a testament to the enduring spirit of the ANZAC and the community’s unwavering respect for those who have served and continue to serve.
“Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club is honoured to support our veteran members from Vietnam to the younger generation of servicemen and women.”
MSLSC warmly welcomes the community to join in this moment of reflection and gratitude, paying homage to the ANZAC spirit and those who have served. If you can’t attend the service at Mooloolaba Beach, 91.1 Hot FM radio will broadcast the ceremony live across the Sunshine Coast from 5am. Veterans who wish to march, we invite them to assemble in the southern club car park on Club Lane, ready to step off at 4:55am.
