2024 Anzac Day Morning Parade and Service – Mackay City
Thursday, April 25, 2024
The annual Anzac Day commemorative parades are a long standing community tradition.
It provides an opportunity for schools and the community to participate in the Anzac Day events occurring throughout the Mackay region.
Drop-off points
Primary and high school students are to use the Caneland Central drop-off area along Matsuura Drive.
Either drop your child off in the allocated drop-off area or park in the upper-level car parking or around Caneland Central and walk your child to the ground-level Caneland Central car park.
Those who are transporting large pieces of band equipment can park in the designated band vehicle parking area.
Daycare/kindergarten students are to be dropped-off at the Axiom College car park in Wellington Street.
Please refer to the parade information map below.
Parking
Parking is available in the upper-level car park of the Caneland Central Shopping Centre via the ramp off Matsuura Drive. Vehicles will only be able to exit via Matsuura Drive.
There is also parking around Caneland Central Shopping Centre.
Day-care/kindergarten students can utilise the parking on Nelson Street or at the end of Wellington and Victoria streets.
Road closures
Road closures will be in place along the parade route. Please adhere to all roadside signage and instructions.
The Mangrove Road and Milton Street intersection will be closed from 8am.
Allow plenty of time to get to the Caneland Central car park.
A full list of road closures across the region is available here.
Morning parade formation
Primary and high school students, cadets, scouts, guides, veterans, and descendants will all march off from the Caneland Central car park. Vintage vehicles and an ambulance vehicle will assemble at the bus stop.
Daycare/kindergarten students will march from the Axiom College car park in Wellington Street. An SES volunteer will be there to assist this group march off.
Please refer to the parade map below.
Order of the march is as follows:
> Veterans in vintage vehicles
> Cadets - Navy Cadets - TS Pioneer; Army Cadets - 122 Army Cadet Unit; Air Force Cadets - 105 Sqn AAFC; PCYC cadets
> Scouts and Guides
> Veterans - Parade commander; Pipers; RSL Executives; RSL Care; War Dogs; 1885–1918 (WW1 and descendants); 1939–1945 WWII; 1945–1975, Vietnam & WHP Flags; 1975–1995; 1995–; 42 Bn. Assn; RAAF Assn; National Servicemen’s Assn; Allied Veterans; Allied Nations
> Queensland Ambulance Service vehicle
> Schools - daycare students; primary schools; secondary schools
> Community groups
> Emergency Services - SES; Queensland Fire Service/Rural Fire Service; CQ Rescue; Salvation Army; Australian Red Cross; Queensland Ambulance Service
Morning parade assembly
Students, cadets, scouts, guides, veterans, and descendants are to assemble in the Caneland Central ground-level car park by 8am.
Rows have been allocated for each school/group. The parade will move onto Victoria Street at 8.35am and march along Wellington and Alfred streets.
Please refer to the Caneland Central assembly map.
General information
Dispersal of students after parade
Following the march, students will be directed to positions on Macalister Street between Gordon and Alfred streets and Nelson Street between Alfred and Shakespeare streets (including the Mackay Central State School grounds).
Please refer to the school dispersal map.
Information for schools attending the dawn service
Mackay’s Caledonian Pipe Band members suffered many casualties during the First World War. After the Mackay and District Pipe Band was formed, in 1928, the Pipers were invited to lead Anzac Day parades and to lay a solitary wreath during Mackay’s dawn service. A Veteran Piper or the Drum Major lays that wreath.
Other wreaths may be laid before or after the dawn service.
The morning service will commence at 9.30am and conclude at approximately 10.30am.
Wreath-laying at the morning service, Cenotaph, Jubilee Park
After the march, students laying wreaths will gather in the shade near the large tree beside the Cenotaph.
They may be moved under a marquee by marshalls to be closer for laying wreaths.
Marshalls will position wreath-layers in order during the address by Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.
Submit an application to lay a wreath as part of a community group at Mackay’s Anzac Day main service.
Wearing of military decorations, campaign and service medals and ribbons
Medals awarded to a person are worn on the left breast.
Medals worn for a family member are worn on the right breast.
Medals may be worn for parents, grandparents, etc.
Following a tradition that began during an Armistice Day parade in London, in 1920, (now Remembrance Day), Veterans cover their medals with their right hand after laying a wreath and when repeating “Lest We Forget” at the end of “The Ode” recital. This is to cover awards or decorations the Fallen may not have received.
Medals worn on the right breast may be covered by the left hand.
Toilets
Portaloo toilets will be available at the assembly locations (Caneland Central car park, near Star Car Wash, and the Axiom College car park).
They will also be located in the service area at the MECC car park and the council car park.
Water
Water will be available for veterans and their families at the assembly location and the service.
Schools are asked to bring some water with them.
Parade information map
Click on the image for a printable PDF
Caneland Central assembly map
Click on the image for a printable PDF
School dispersal map
Click on the image for a printable PDF
