Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of the Anzac 2015 celebrations, a heritage steam train will re-enact troop movements from Winton to Brisbane at the beginning of World War I, a 1,700 kilometre journey. During the five-day trip we will remember those that served and did not return from the blood stained battlefields. It also commemorates the 100-year celebration of Anzac.

We will bring together ex-service men and women and their families, schoolchildren and the wider community. Thousands of Queenslanders will experience the Anzac memorial as the train passes through their communities. Approximately 500 men from surrounding properties enlisted in Winton, of whom 66 per cent made the ultimate sacrifice. Wreaths will be laid at 10 cenotaphs, including in Gladstone.

In Gladstone there will be a ceremonial march from the station to the cenotaph by the full light horse brigade and military re-enactment troops. Also, two retired police officers will march, honouring police who enlisted in World War I. I thank the committee headed by Graham McVean, and including Vaughan Johnson, Bryan Ottone, Lester and Mary Anderson and Lofty Wendt. Participating organisations include the Gladstone RSL, the Longreach RSL, the Capricornia RSL, the Maryborough RSL and Robyn Stephens from the Winton Outback Festival.

I thank my colleagues Bruce Scott, Michelle Landry and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for their support in this program.