DAWN SERVICE 4.28am
Almost started with a disaster, no anthem music or bugle, it was 4am and Grant, the Sound technician reported to me that his laptop computer had died, this equipment was necessary for the required music. Grant informed me, "the computer is new, still under warranty, tested the day before and all was all systems go"! But as we all know, those of us that have been involved in organizing events, that if something is going to go wrong, it will go wrong at the eleventh hour!

A huge crowd was gathering well before 4am and I couldn't imagine a Dawn service at Burleigh Heads without the sound of the Bugle. I quickly asked a few members who lived fairly close to the Memorial Park if they had a portable CD player and you wouldn't believe, nobody had one!!!
This meant an urgent trip home to pick my CD player and return to the cenotaph by 4.28a.

The trip home is another story, which we won't go into!! I made it with one minute to spare, the troops were forming up in Connor Street to march to the cenotaph for the service, Whew!
Grant had a few minutes to familiarize himself with the equipment, in the dark with a faulty torch, as a true professional, Grant, came in right on time with the Last post and the reveille, Amen!

The attendance was in excess of two thousand, many Veterans, ex-service men and women, families with many young children. I was blown away with the sea of faces and at the same time excited to see that the ANZAC spirit was alive and flourishing in BURLEIGH HEADS in the year 2007 as in previous years!! Thank you, Rev'd Greg McGory, Anglican Church Burleigh, George Utterson, Flag Officer and Les McKenzie, Parade Marshal for you contribution to the dawn service.

The Burleigh Dawn service has always been a very solemn service, as a mark of respect to the original ANZAC's and to remember fallen comrades, to remember the sacrifice that so many made for us in all conflicts. At the conclusion of the service, everyone dispersed quietly and reverently!!

The staunch veterans retired to the Burleigh Heads Bowls Club for the usual light refreshments!! And a gunfire breakfast! Again, thanks to Gary Potts, the Manager and his staff for their kindness in providing their service. I also would like to thank the Directors of the Burleigh Heads Bowls Club!!


The 2007 BURLEIGH HEADS CITIZENS ANZAC CEREMONY 9.30am
Conducted by Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch

ANZAC day was a warm sunny day; the crowds were assembling about 8am with the songs of yesteryear coming through the sound systems down James and Connor Streets! They were there early to establish vantage points, the crowds built up at great speed until the March commenced at 9.30am.

9.30am with Military Marching music coming through the sound systems, the vintage military vehicles moved off, carrying disabled veterans as they lead the parade, followed by the flag party, the Veterans, ex-service men and women, family members representing veterans, Scouts, schools children representing all the Burleigh area schools, members of various codes of football clubs, all were marching to keep the ANZAC Spirits alive! The parade was resplendent!

2007 ANZAC Day was the 92nd anniversary since the young ANZAC's landed on the beaches of Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915, and many that left these shores never return home. Everyone watching and applauding, were there to pay his or her respect to all the ANZAC's and to keep the spirit alive. The Veterans and all others marching were invigorated by the applause!

The March concluded at the Burleigh Heads Memorial Park and settled down for the commemoration service. The crowds' eclipsed last year's attendance as the Park was busting at the seams, it was reported in excess of 7000! The Commemoration service concluded at 10.50am.

My sincere thanks to Burleigh Councillor Gregg Betts, Margaret May, MP, Federal Member for McPherson, Rev Charles Holmes, Burleigh Anglican Church, Gary Ivory, Sub-Branch Patron, Lt Col Ken Gaulton, Sub-Branch Member (EX-POW Germany), Ben Schuster, OAM, Sub-Branch Member, Major Fergus Savage, HQ 1st Div, George Utterson, Flag Officer, Flag Bearers, Ken McNaught, Ron Mansfield, Vern Williams, Bob McNamara and Les McKenzie, parade Marshal. Without your contribution, the ANZAC Commemoration service would not have proceeded so smoothly.

Also a big thanks to the following people for their contribution to the ANZAC Day service; Jim Casey from Kenshinkan Karate Aust and his dedicated team who conducted crowd control and assisted to get the March underway, ANZAC badge selling and handing out programs! Mammoth duty!

Ann Newman, Music teacher and conductor of the Burleigh Heads State Primary school choir. The children performed with great confidence and great voice. The children's singing put a new dimension to the Burleigh Heads ANZAC Service and was greatly appreciated by all. Thank you Ann for your effort! Lloyd & Linda Glassik and their team of drivers, who provided the vintage military vehicles for the parade, thank you again, you exceeded all expectations each year!
Thank you to Ken McNaught and Barrie Miller for going to the effort of displaying the field of crosses around the cenotaph, it was a picture to behold.

O.I.C Palm Beach Police Station for providing the Police Officers, Queensland Ambulance Service, thank you one and all!! Great job!

One hundred and ten retired to the Burleigh RSL Hall after the service for fine food, cold refreshments and Gary Ivory tinkling the ivories!! What a polished performance, the music was enjoyed and appreciated, many thanks Gary!

I have quite a few more members to thank for the day, Allan Price, Attendance Officer and John Rapp for taking care of the Door donation. Thank you!
Kevin Cook, Committeeman/Fundraiser and George McCabe for the conducting the Raffle. Thank you! Kevin worked exceedingly hard on the day and raised substantial funds to cover much of the sub-branches expenses.

Les McKenzie, Jnr Vice President/providore, Brian Williams, Committeeman, Craig McKenzie, Noel Hull, and all who assisted Les at the refreshments counter, thank you!

Betty & Vic Hale, Stuart & Kim Ingram and Wendy Kilne, thank you for the wonderful variety of food that was provided, I don't think anyone went hungry, a fantastic effort!

The Sub-Branch Secretary/Treasurer, Ray Fellenberg, Thank you for your enormous assistance in the organizing this ANZAC day service and assisting Jean McKenzie, with the ANZAC Badge selling! Ray worked at times even with severe pain and discomfort, like a real trooper, rarely complaining!

Jeannie McKenzie, Welfare fundraiser, thank you for your great effort in organizing and coordinating the ANZAC badge sellers, what a great effort under at times difficult circumstances but with your little band of willing sellers you have exceeded all your previous efforts! Thank you to all those who put their hand up and helped Jeannie achieve this result, I'm sure she has thanked you for your efforts! The Sub-Branch members are very much appreciative in its welfare and Pensions services these funds help provide.

To conclude this report, I feel I am so fortunate to belong to a great Sub-Branch, a great group of members and hope to be able to continue to serve you the members and the Burleigh heads Community for some years to come! I do hope all those who attended the 2007 Burleigh heads ANZAC Day Service got as much out of it as I did and look forward to 2008!

Yours in Service
Chris Keating
President