News & Events: ANZAC Day at Greenslopes

ANZAC Day at Greenslopes

28 April 2011

For many the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast at Greenslopes Private Hospital has become an annual tradition not to be missed. Whilst numbers were down this year due to the Easter long weekend, the fact that close to 500 members of the hospital and local community were in attendance signifies what an important event this is to so many and we are very proud to be able to celebrate our veteran history in this way.

Fortunately the rain held off and we were able to hold the service in the usual location in the ANZAC Memorial adjacent to the chapel.  The atmosphere of the candlelit crowd - patients, staff, doctors, veterans and people from throughout the local community gathered together to remember the fallen is something you have to experience personally to truly appreciate.  It is always touching to receive so many personal comments and notes of thanks in the days that follow the service.

This year we were delighted to have The Honourable Cameron Dick MP State Member for Greenslopes, Minister for Education and Industrial Relations deliver a very moving special address.  Other members of the official party included Mr John Sadeik, Acting Deputy Commissioner Qld, Dept of Veterans’ Affairs who recited the ANZAC Dedication and Mr Doug Formby, State President, Returned & Services League of Australia, Qld who recited the ANZAC Resolution. Mr Lloyd Hill, State Manager Qld Ramsay Health Care and Acting CEO Greenslopes Private Hospital performed the role as Master of Ceremonies.

Thank you to the cadets from Churchie who participated as the Triservice Catafalque Party and also the School Bugler whose involvement is always such an important and memorable part of the service.

Out thanks must also go to the So-la Voce choir who let the congregation in song and our extraordinary catering team who put on an outstanding breakfast which was enjoyed by all following the service.

Special mention must be made of the noted absence of Mr Cyril Gilbert OAM from this year’s service.  Cyril was invited to travel with The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC and three fellow  Ex-Prisoners of War to attend a special ANZAC Day service at Hellfire Pass in Thailand, marking 68 years since the beginning of construction of the infamous Thai Burma Railway. Around 13,000 Australian POWs were transported to Burma and Thailand to work on the railway, which led to the deaths of an estimated 2,650 Australians.