Vietnamese community remembers 1975
The Brisbane Vietnamese community and their Australian allies marked “the day of mourning” – the anniversary of the fall of Saigon which ended the Vietnamese war on 30th April, 1975. Before the twilight service in Anzac Square yesterday, a grieving man thumped the memorial wall of pictures depicting stages of the Vietnam War, while another, […]
Sea of red as thousands rally for the disabled
Rallies were held around the country today to raise awareness of the financial difficulties facing people with disabilities and their carers and to promote the National Disability Insurance Scheme. About a thousand people including many with disabilities, Paralympians, carers and representatives of various disability groups including Endeavour, Cerebal Palsy League and Spinal Injuries Association of […]
Carers tell of financial challenges
Families of many disabled Australians suffer financial hardship caring for their loved ones. This was a common story told by carers and family members gathered at Reddacliff Place in Brisbane today to advocate for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Event organiser Fiona Anderson of the Every Australian Counts campaign had first-hand experience with the […]
Brisbane candidates battle for keys to City Hall
Three of Brisbane’s five Lord Mayoral candidates faced off in a live forum and debate at the ABC Brisbane studios yesterday. Independent candidate Chris Carlton arrived late and Australian Sex Party Rory Killen failed to show. Pictured left to right: Andrew Bartlett (Greens), Ray Smith (Labor), Graham Quirk (LNP). ABC drive presenter Tim Cox questioned […]
Simple tribute a testimony to Anzac Day spirit
For every major Dawn Service around the country, there are hundreds of smaller, more modest services to commemorate Anzac Day in regional Australia. Our reporter found the simple service at Springbrook, west of the Gold Coast an uplifting experience. It’s around half past four on Anzac Day and it’s pitch black on the Springbrook plateau. […]
Tens of thousands cheer city Anzac Day parade
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Brisbane to view the 2012 Anzac Day parade and applaud the marching veterans. Along every street of the parade all vantage points were taken. In places people were packed six-deep and bus seats turned into sought-after high ground for photographers. “Every year you see a thickening […]
Moving ceremony at Tweed
About 4000 people gathered at Tweed Heads for a moving Anzac day dawn service. Local MP Geoff Provest made special mention of two local young men who had recently paid the ultimate price in serving their country. Private Nathan Bewes from Murwillumbah and former Kingscliffe High School student Sapper Rowan Robinson (pictured) were killed in […]
Thousands gather for city dawn service
An estimated 8000 people gathered in Brisbane’s ANZAC Square for today’s dawn service. The service began at 4:28am at the Shrine of Remembrance for a memorable 97th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings at Gallipoli in Turkey. Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley referred to the changing light of dawn and shifting shadows as a poignant reminder […]
Sales of Legacy badges help those left behind
Soldiers were out in force on Brisbane streets today selling badges for the welfare charity, Legacy, which helps more than 100,000 widows, 1900 children and disabled dependants of combat veterans. Badge-sellers said Anzac Day was an opportunity for serving members of the defence forces to take part in preserving the memory of soldiers, sailors and […]
First-ever Anzac Day without a World War I veteran
Wednesday’s Anzac Day celebrations in Australia will be the first without a World War I veteran. The last surviving digger, Claude Choules, died last year aged 110. British-born Mr Choules served in the Royal Navy in World War I and the Royal Australian Navy in World War II. He will be remembered tomorrow along with […]
Special plans for Anzac Day
Those looking to get into the spirit of Anzac Day in Brisbane on 25 April will have a variety of options. Public transport will run on a Sunday timetable, with extra bus and train services in the early hours to get people to the dawn service. Translink will also provide free public transport for veterans […]
Gold Coast mayoral candidates pledge spending cuts, lower rates
Big budget savings and a freeze on water rates were two of the promises made by Gold Coast candidates at ABC local radio’s mayoral debate this week. With only a week to go until local council elections, more than a hundred Gold Coast residents turned up to hear candidates address key local issues and outline […]
Horror smash survivor inspires young achievers
Six years ago Sam Cawthorn was pronounced dead on the scene of a major car accident. Now he is on stage at the Brisbane Convention Centre, talking with some of the world’s most promising minds about his experiences overcoming adversity. You could say Sam bounced back from the dead, but he prefers to call it […]
Fire-fighters compete to improve skills
South-east Queensland’s fire-fighters are ablaze this weekend at the regional fire-fighters championships at Mount Tamborine showgrounds. Twenty-two teams are competing in 10 events to find a winning team that best displays the skills and drills of everyday fire-fighting. Events include ladder skills and working with hoses of small or large diameter. Winners of the regional […]
City organ gets $2m tune-up
The Brisbane City Hall organ will make its grand re-entrance to Brisbane’s cultural life next year after restoration costing about $1.9 million. Intense restoration work on the 1890s classic organ continues in a workshop at Hemmant in Brisbane’s east. Master organ builder Simon Pierce said a 10-member team from Pierce Pipe Organs was restoring the […]