Hundreds pay tribute to the Anzacs across Douglas Shire



Published Tuesday 26 April 2016

IMAGE: Howard Salkow.

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Port Douglas, Mossman and Cow Bay yesterday for Anzac Day Services.

Family members young and old gathered to pay tribute to defence personnel who have lost their lives in the service of Australia and New Zealand, at moving Dawn services in Mossman and Cow Bay.

A mass of people then marched to the Centotaph in Port Douglas, with poppies and medals adorning many a chest at the huge turnout in a moving commemoration.

About 200 residents from the Daintree north area assembled at the Cow Bay Hotel at 4.45am to march along to the Daintree Cenotaph, led by the RAAF 27 Squadron and HMS Cairns contingent, in time for a 5am start to the annual Anzac Day dawn commemoration service at the Daintree Cenotaph set in an idyllic grassy cove just off Cape Tribulation Road.

This service has become one of the Daintree areas most supported events in their annual calendar and commemorates not only the fallen from north of the river but also all those who gave their lives for our freedom throughout the Douglas Shire, Australia and the rest of the allied world.

The crowd stood in reverent silence as the tributes were paid and the wreaths were laid and patiently marched back to the Cow Bay Hotel to enjoy a free breakfast courtesy of the Douglas Shire Council and take advantage of this rare chance to catch up with their friends and neighbours, in fact almost the whole community.

The atmosphere back at the Hotel was very dignified and reverent but as their dearly departed heroes would expect and approve of the mood was one of a respectful blend of laughter, family fun and a celebration of life paying the ultimate tribute to the ultimate sacrifices that were made in all the wars by their loved ones.

Newsport was there to capture moments at all three services across the Douglas Shire.

People pay their respects in Port Douglas. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
Bagpipes were a feature of the Port Douglas service. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu lays flowers on the Centotaph. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
A veteran holding the Australian Flag. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
Children from the Port Douglas Primary School choir sing. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
A huge turnout at the Port Douglas Anzac Service look on. IMAGE: Howard Salkow.
A Navy servicemen pays his respects at the Cow Bay Dawn Service. IMAGE: Roy Weavers.
A shotgun breakfast is served in Cow Bay. IMAGE: Roy Weavers.
Navy personnel in Cow Bay. IMAGE: Roy Weavers.
Both young and old were in Cow Bay for the Dawn Service. IMAGE: Roy Weavers.
Marching towards the Centotaph in Cow Bay. IMAGE: Roy Weavers.
The Dawn Service in Mossman. IMAGE: Will Devlin.