Locals pay their respect at Tewantin Anzac Day Parade

Australian volunteer Coast Guard members participating in the Anzac Day march in Tewantin Town Square.

By Abbey Cannan

A huge crowd of community members, including Mayor Tony Wellington, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and Labor candidate for Wide Bay Jason Scanes, lined the streets in Tewantin town square on Thursday 25 April to pay their respect for our war heroes during the annual Anzac Day Parade.

207 Squadron, Australian Air Force Cadet Liam Strong gave a touching speech on what Anzac Day means to him as a young Australian, during the Tewantin-Noosa RSL Anzac Day Service of Commemoration.

“Growing up in Australia I’ve always known that Anzac Day was very special, but my time as a cadet has giving me more of an understanding of why. I’ve learnt about some of things that make the Anzac spirit so important. I’ve learnt about mate-ship, about coming together as a team to work towards common goals, to push myself and get out of my comfort zone. I’ve learnt about feeling pride in my uniform and what I represent. I realise that I’m not just representing myself but an organisation of past, present and future Australians who serve their country with pride,” Liam said.

“As a young Australian I think it is very important that people of my generation understand and appreciate what we have today. We have opportunities to develop, learn and explore free from danger. We have choices, we have freedom of speech, we have the right to live where we want.Thanks to those who have defended us, fought for us and made the supreme sacrifice for us, we can grow up in a peaceful, safe and tolerant community,” he said.