Guarding Anzac Day traditions for new generations
Only the warble of a magpie can be heard as the solemn crowd gathers in Toowong Memorial Park at dawn.
The first glints of sun shimmer through the trees, bouncing off the cenotaph as the catafalque party presents arms and a lone bugler sounds the familiar first notes of The Last Post.
The same stirring scene has been re-enacted every Anzac Day (25 April) since 1916, as Australians and New Zealanders pause to remember the fallen and pay their respects to all soldiers who have served in wartime.
The Queensland University Regiment (QUR) has been involved in the Toowong dawn service in recent years and QUR members will provide the catafalque party this Anzac Day, as the Regiment celebrates its 75th anniversary.
For Lieutenant Colonel Scott Revell, this will be his first Anzac Day in charge of the QUR since taking over as Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor in January this year, following a military career spanning more than 28 years, during which he served in East Timor and Afghanistan.
“For me, Anzac Day is a day of reflection, when I think about the sacrifices my forebears have made – not only in both World Wars, but in more modern conflicts as well,” he said.
“I also think of my relatives who have served, especially those who have served this country.
“I truly believe that Anzac Day is special for all Australians. It’s an opportunity for the public to reflect and be grateful for the country we are, and the sacrifices made by servicemen and women make Australia the great country it is today.”
Lieutenant Colonel Scott Revell at a Forward Operating Base west of Kabul in 2019.
Lieutenant Colonel Scott Revell at a Forward Operating Base west of Kabul in 2019.
Anzac Day has morphed in recent decades to become arguably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli during World War 1, while commemorating all the conflicts that followed.
Lieutenant Colonel Revell said it’s comforting to see children born 100 years after the Gallipoli campaign standing beside their parents in the dark at dawn services across Australia and New Zealand, knowing that the tradition will stand the test of time for generations to come.
“A number of QUR members have been attending schools as guest speakers in the lead-up to Anzac Day,” he said.
“It’s important to continue to educate and encourage our younger generations to participate in Anzac Day services, either in schools or through RSL-organised events.”
QUR was formed in May 1948. Initially an independent company (‘A’ Company), QUR was established as a full infantry battalion in 1950 due to an increase of recruits.
QUR began training members to receive commissions as officers in 1951, with Second Lieutenant Pat Shanahan becoming the first graduate. In July 1959, QUR was presented with its first set of Queen’s and Regimental Colours by His Excellency, The Governor of Queensland, Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith.
After 1962, QUR began officer training for other Citizen Military Forces units in South East Queensland. This dual mode remained in place for 30 years, when the Regiment began focusing on officer training from 1992.
Members of the Queensland University Regiment.
Members of the Queensland University Regiment.
Today, QUR’s primary role is training officers and soldiers of the Army Reserve, as well as providing all-corps promotion courses for reserve officers up to the rank of Major. The last Officer Cadet cohort graduated late last year, with a new cohort due to commission in June.
QUR will officially mark its 75th year with a commemoration event at the Regiment’s St Lucia Barracks in early May. Former members, as well as members of the Queensland University Regiment Association, are invited to attend.
“This is a significant milestone in the Regiment’s history, when we will be able to acknowledge the contribution that our fine men and women have made to Australian Army capability over the last 75 years,” Lieutenant Colonel Revell said.
Images: Brook Mitchell/Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
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