In scenes replicated across Queensland’s central west, there were plenty of people lining Blackall’s main street and then at its Memorial Park to honour Australia’s service personnel for Anzac Day this morning.
The sacrifices made by all those who had joined up from Blackall were recognised in the address given by Major Ed Dahlheimer, the commanding officer of the central Queensland army reserve infantry unit, the 31/42 Royal Queensland Regiment.
He made particular mention of the 18 men who had been allocated to the unit he serves with now, including Military Medal winner Private Eising, a company runner who served on the Western Front.
Blackall RSL sub-branch president Terry Brennan quoted war historian CEW Bean to remind the crowd gathered that the first World War had been like our War of Independence.
“It was our baptism of fire and we weren’t found wanting,” he said.
Over 150 veterans are buried in the Blackall cemetery and they are not forgotten on Anzac Day, with the RSL ladies auxiliary placing poppies on each grave as a mark of respect.
