Hundreds come out for 4.30am Ipswich dawn service
IT WAS the quiet shuffle of four pairs of feet that launched this morning's Anzac Day commemorations at the Soldier's Memorial Hall in Ipswich.
The sound belonged to Australian Army cadets stepping in unison as part of the Catafalque that open the dawn service just before 4.30am.
Hundreds of people with poppies or medals pinned to their chests filled the park for the early service. It was the first service to be held in Ipswich ahead of several others across the city from 5am onwards.
With today marking 100 years of Anzac Day itself, Ipswich RSL sub-branch president Phil Gilbert took the chance to speak about the history of Australian military deployment.
He spoke of the Boer War, the two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Malaya, Timor and more modern conflicts including those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The crowd, which included dozens of veterans, stayed around after the service with many taking part in the tradition of a rum breakfast.
Harrisville's dawn service also brought out a crowd for the early morning. The town's generally quiet streets echoed with the sound of about 100 women, children and men reciting the Ode of Remembrance.
Harrisville Lions Club President Mick Rashford said the service was getting bigger every year.
Although the bugle player was held up, the quick-thinking organisers made sure the Last Post was played over loud speakers.
