Wednesday 27 April 2011

The ANZAC spirit was alive and well in Port Douglas on Monday as a large crowd gathered in ANZAC Park to commemorate the men and women who served, and are currently serving, Australia in conflict zones around the world.

People of all ages who attended the mid-morning service were reminded of the sacrifice the Douglas region had made with the loss of many lives in World War 1 and 2, and in Vietnam.

"To hear the names read out of those who didn't come home, I just didn't realise there were so many, especially for such a small community," said Graham Jennings, a visitor from Melbourne.

The haunting and instantly recognisable sound of the Last Post carried across the park in the blustery conditions and all stood in a minute's silence to remember the Australians and New Zealanders who have died at war.

Once the service was concluded, spirits rose as hundreds of people converged on The Central Hotel for the traditional game of two-up, while others were more interested in the clash of the AFL giants, Collingwood and Essendon which sparked friendly rivalries and banter.

ANZAC Day in Port Douglas is truely a unique experience.

Check out some happy snaps at The Central Hotel on our Social Pages.