Clermont Anzac Day statue helps to light up the dawn

As the coronavirus crisis forced the cancellation of this year's commemorations, Queenslanders have answered a call to arms to continue to pay their respects.

For young mum Anna Nicholson, 27, the unique situation allowed her to embrace her artistic flair, creating a soldier sculpture which stands proudly at the front of her properties, Glen Elgin and Aroa Downs, 70km north-east of Clermont.

Mrs Nicholson said a local lady in Kilcummin had suggested everyone should decorate their letterboxes to honour the Anzacs this year.

But Mrs Nicholson went one better.

With local war hero William 'Billy' Sing, a sniper in World War I, as her inspiration Mrs Nicholson got to work.

Using chicken wire, Mrs Nicholson spent 12 hours creating her tribute to Billy with the soldier standing in the traditional rest on arms position, with a wooden rifle swung down with the muzzle resting at foot. It is the same stance that soldiers take during traditional services as part of the catafalque party.

"I named him after William 'Billy' Sing of Clermont, who is a local war hero for us, a sniper with at least 150 kills," Mrs Nicholson said.

"He inspired me and I dedicated it to him.

"Being on the farm, chicken wire was readily accessible to me and I could put it together without having to weld, I used wire snips and tied it together, it took about 12 hours over a week."

Billy was born in Clermont in 1886 to a Chinese father and English mother.

He was heavily involved with the Proserpine Rifle Club and when WWI broke out in 1914 he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces. He joined the 5th Light Horse Regiment and was sent to Egypt in December 1914 and on to Gallipoli in May 1915.

He soon became known as a crack shot. His abilities as a sniper saw him recognised as having more than 150 confirmed kills and he was awarded a British Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in Gallipoli.

His statue will leave a lasting legacy, with Mrs Nicholson auctioning it off online and all proceeds going to help returned veterans.

"I put it on social media and I've lost count of the number of shares, it is well over 30,000," she said.

"It's going up for auction for the next few days, which will close on April 24, the night before Anzac Day.

"I hope to raise as much money as I can to donate to the Clermont and Proserpine RSL."

Mrs Nicholson is creating merchandise of her sculpture with framed photographs and tea towels to be sold. She is considering hosting an online wire sculpting class with proceeds going to the RSL.

She will be among those commemorating Anzac Day in the nationwide 'light up the dawn' movement.

RSL Queensland is encouraging all residents to stand on their driveway, deck or living room with a candle at 6am on Saturday in place of attending traditional dawn services.

The RSL and local radio stations will stream a service that people can listen to via their phones or radios.

"We will light up our fire pit, make some Anzac biscuits and have a beer for our fallen soldiers," Mrs Nicholson said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk encouraged Queenslanders to join the 'light up the dawn' movement. She will join the Governor, the Lord Mayor and RSL Queensland president for a small service at 4.28am.