Queensland Schools' ANZAC Day Commemorative Service 2024

The Governor this morning joined students from close to 1,000 Queensland schools at the Shrine of Remembrance in Brisbane for an ANZAC Day Commemorative Service to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have selflessly served our nation in times of conflict.

The ANZAC Commemoration for students is conducted by the ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee Queensland, of which Her Excellency is Patron. The service is tailored for young people and seeks to provide an avenue to help enhance their understanding of the importance and relevance of the ANZAC tradition and to deepen their appreciation of the sacrifices of Australia’s servicemen and servicewomen.

Addressing those gathered, Her Excellency spoke about the Gallipoli landing 109 years ago, when 16,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers — many of them young and inexperienced — faced the first major international conflict of our newly federated nation.

Though met with adversity, she said, their resolve and camaraderie shone through.

“Eyewitness accounts and letters from the battlefront reveal a side to Gallipoli that rises above the sadness and brutality of war,” said Her Excellency.

“Alongside the qualities of courage, resourcefulness and determination we associate with the ANZAC tradition, the importance of mateship — reliably looking out for each other — was demonstrated vividly in writing and photos from this, and subsequent conflicts in our history.”

“They tell tales of outstanding bravery, and they also highlight how important the simple normal activities were — like sharing a laugh with mates, having sing-alongs, playing games, or sport — in fact, even as the troops departed Gallipoli, a game of cricket was being played on ‘Shell Green’, supposedly to distract the Turkish from the evacuation.”

The Governor's remarks may be read in full here. 

Lest We Forget.