Vietnam Veteran Leslie Palmer officiating the Mackay Anzac Day Main Service. Picture: Heidi Petith
Mr Palmer said despite Mr Payne living in Mackay for 40 years, it was only the third time the oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient had made a hometown service as he was in high demand.
Photos
Mr Payne shared a touching story for the first time of a woman finding her ‘Gallipoli stone’ while he visited Turkey in 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine. Vietnam War veteran and Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne with his wife Florence at the Mackay ANZAC Day march 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins
Clancy Morgan honoured her great-grandfather with his medals proudly adorning her Whitsunday Anglican School uniform. The Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service in 2021 commemorates the Australian Light Horse troops. Picture: Lillian Watkins
The Year 10 student said she was honoured to wear them at the Kuttabul Dawn Service, a special commemoration that remembers those who served and the Australian Light Horse brigade.
Hundreds of people rose early to gather at the Remembrance Garden in the Hampden State School. Whitsunday Anglican School Year 10 student Clancy Morgan at the Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins
School children were among the many gathered to lay wreaths for those who had died serving their country.
The Vietnam War veteran for the first time spoke of an exchange on the blood-soaked beaches of Turkey during his address at Mackay’s Anzac Day service.
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Residents have returned to Anzac Day Dawn Services this year, with the dayâs first light showing the huge crowds paying their respects.
The Daily Mercury is covering the day starting with the Jubilee Park Dawn Service.
Photos and stories from across the region will be published here throughout the day.
Kuttabulâs tradition still honouring our Anzacs
Three riders and their horses lead the march that commenced the Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service to the sounds of bagpipes across the chill air.
The Kuttabul Anzac Day Dawn Service was attended by hundreds of Mackay region locals to commemorate those who served and in particular the Australian Light Horse brigade.
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