Anzac Day parade route confirmed with record number of children

More than 7000 children from local schools and kindergartens have registered to march in this year’s Anzac Day parade.

The route has been slightly modified from last year, giving spectators more vantage points and ensuring the parade passes key locations, such as the cenotaph.

It will step off from Caneland Central and head down Victoria Street, before turning right into Macalister Street, right onto Gordon Street and then left onto Wellington Street before moving to Jubilee Park.

The dispersal areas will be Central State School, Alfred Street near the MECC and Macalister Street around the Senior Citizens Hall.

Mackay Mayor, Greg Williamson said it was encouraging to see such interest from younger residents to honour our veterans.

“The indication from our schools is that more than 7300 children will be marching in the Mackay parade, which is 1300 more than the previous year.  We’ve also seen a huge increase in kindy kids planning to march, up 135 children to 282,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It’s very encouraging to see the next generation’s commitment to recognising the service and sacrifice of our past and present Australian Defence Force personnel,” he said.

“There’s hundreds of additional students marching in places like Walkerston, Sarina and Seaforth, so it’s an event being commemorated right across the Mackay region.”