ANZAC Day planning
ABOVE: This Regent Studios photo appeared on page 10 of The Telegraph newspaper of 11 March 1922. It depicted the membership of the-then Anzac Day Commemoration Committee of Queensland, a large number of whom had served since the committee first convened back on 29 February 1916. Back Row (from left). – Archibald Watson (representing the Associated Chamber of Manufactures of Australia, Queensland Branch); Charles Gibbon (representing the Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association of Queensland); Chaplain Colonel William McKenzie (Salvation Army); Stanley Wilmott (representing The Overseas Club); and Arthur Exley (representing the Royal Society of St George). Second Row.– Patrick Joseph McDermott (representing the Irish Association of Queensland); James Francis Maxwell, MLA (representing the Employers’ Federation of Queensland); Captain Eustace Royston Baum Pike (joint honorary secretary of the ADCC), William Myers King (representing the Queensland Chamber of Commerce); the Reverend Alfred George Weller (chaplain); and Alderman Alfred Faulkner (the Mayor of South Brisbane Town Council). Third Row.– Chaplain Lieutenant-Colonel the Reverend Canon David John Garland (the joint honorary secretary of the ADCC); Lieutenant-Colonel James Murdock Archer Durrant (base commandant, Enoggera Barracks); the Reverend Dr. Ernest Northcroft Merrington (chaplain); Major Edward John Dibdin, DSO (representing the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, Queensland Branch); Brigadier-General James Harold Cannan (representing the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, Queensland Branch); Major-General Sir Julius Henry Bruche (commanding field troops of 1st Military District); and Captain Herbert Mark Meadows Maddock. Sitting.– Thomas Augustine Ryan; The Most Reverend Dr. Gerald Sharp (the Church of England Archbishop of Brisbane); the Honourable John Henry Coyne (Chairman of the ADCC, State Member for Warrego and Secretary for Public Lands); the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane (The Most Reverend Dr. James Vincent Duhig); Alderman George Down (the Mayor of Brisbane Town Council); and the Honourable Andrew Joseph Thynne (Life Member of the Queensland Legislative Council).
ANZAC DAY.
COMMEMORATION, 25 APRIL 1916.
IT will be remembered that on 10 January 1916, a public meeting was held in Brisbane, presided over by the Mayor of Brisbane (Alderman Down) [ George Down ], and addressed by his Excellency the Governor (Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams), the State Premier (Hon. T.J. Ryan) [ Thomas Joseph Ryan ], the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. J. Tolmie) [ James Tolmie ], Major-General J.W. McCay, CB, VD (lnspector-General of the Australian Forces) [ James Whiteside McCay ], and Chaplain Lieutenant-Colonel Garland [ David John Garland ], when it was decided that the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli shall be suitably celebrated in Queensland, and that the other States be invited to similar action.
At the meeting, which originated with and was carried out by the Queensland Recruiting Committee, a committee was appointed to make all the necessary arrangements for and carry out, the celebrations of Anzac Day, and was later enlarged.
A meeting of the enlarged committee was held subsequently in the Premier’s office, when there were present the following:-
- The Premier (Hon. T.J. Ryan, in the chair)
[ Thomas Joseph Ryan ] - Archbishop Donaldson
[ St Clair George Alfred Donaldson ] - Archbishop Duhig
[ James Vincent Duhig ] - The Rev. W. Smith (the President of the Methodist Conference)
[ William Smith ] - The Rev. Dr. Merrington
[ Ernest Northcroft Merrington ] - The Rev. Dr. Rowe
[ George Edward Rowe ] - The Rev. A.G. Weller
[ Alfred George Weller ] - Brigadier W. Haines (representing the Salvation Army)
[ William Stephen Haines ] - The Hon. J. Huxham
[ John Saunders Huxham ] - The Hon. H.F. Hardacre
[ Herbert Freemont Hardacre ] - The Hon. William Lennon
- The Hon. James Tolmie
- The Hon. Sir Robert Philp
- The Hon. A.J. Thynne
[ Andrew Joseph Thynne ] - The State Commandant (Colonel Lee, DSO)
[ George Leonard Lee ] - Alderman Hetherington (the Mayor of Brisbane Town Council)
[ John Hetherington ] - Alderman Hilton (Mayor of South Brisbane Town Council)
[ John Edward Hilton ] - Alderman Down
[ George Down ] - Alderman Diddams
[ Harry John Charles Diddams ] - Mr. Colin Campbell
- Mr. P.J. McDermott, ISO
[ Peter Joseph McDermott ] - Mr. P.B. MacGregor
[ Peter Balderston MacGregor ] - Mr. J.D. Story (Under-Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction)
[ John Douglas Story ] - Mr. A. Exley
[ Arthur Exley ] - Chaplain Lieutenant-Colonel Garland.
[ David John Garland ]
It was decided that the date to be observed be April 25, the day of the original landing, and that the chief object of the day be the commemoration of our fallen heroes and for the honour of our surviving soldiers.
It was further decided that, in order to express the character of the day, no effort be made to raise funds or any prominence given to the collecting or raising of funds.
The official plan of observance is as follows:-
(1). That the object of the observance of the day be the commemoration of our fallen heroes; the remembrance of our wounded; the recognition of the gallant courage displayed by Australia’s sons in fighting for the preservation of liberty and civilisation;
(2). That all the religious bodies be requested to observe the day by such religious services as each such body shall decide;
(3). That in the evening a public meeting be held in every town in Queensland, when the events of the day shall be brought before the people, a uniform resolution submitted at every such meeting; and simultaneously throughout the State, during the meetings, every person and all work come to a standstill for a period of one minute at 9pm in honour of our fallen heroes;
(a). That the mayor or shire chairman be requested to constitute forthwith a local committee to promote the observance of Anzac Day, and to carry out this plan in such manner as to ensure united action in every part of the State;
(b). That at such public meetings, the place of honour be given to the relatives of those who have died in Gallipoli and of those who have enlisted.
The Minister for Public Instruction [ Herbert Freemont Hardacre ] has undertaken the duty of impressing upon the school children the historic value of Anzac Day, and with this end in view a special number of the School Journal’ will be issued devoted solely to Anzac Day.
The children will be assembled on the last day before the Easter holidays and addressed upon the subject. Copies of the Journal will be supplied also to all private schools.
The State Commandant [ Colonel George Leonard Lee, DSO ] agreed to a parade of all troops in camp to be held in the city of Brisbane in the afternoon, provided that such parade was not used in any way for tho raising of money or for jubilation.
At this parade the place of honour will be given to all available returned soldiers.
Communications are being addressed to the mayors and chairmen of all local authorities throughout the State, urging such local action throughout Queensland as will insure a simultaneous observance of the day.
To this end committees will he appointed locally to carry out the plan.
An executive was appointed consisting of:-
- the Premier,
[ THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN ] - Archbishops Donaldson and Duhig,
[ ST CLAIR GEORGE ALFRED DONALDSON and JAMES VINCENT DUHIG ] - the Rev. Dr. Merrington (Moderator-elect, Presbyterian Assembly),
[ ERNEST NORTHCROFT MERRINGTON ] - the Rev. W. Smith (President, Methodist Conference),
[ WILLIAM SMITH ] - Hons. W. Lennon, H.F. Hardacre and E.H. Macartney,
[ WILLIAM LENNON, HERBERT FREEMONT HARDACRE and EDWARD HENRY MACARTNEY ] - Aldermen Hetherington and Hilton,
[ JOHN HETHERINGTON and JOHN EDWARD HILTON ] - Colonel Lee, DSO,
[ GEORGE LEONARD LEE ] - Alderman Diddams,
[ HARRY JOHN CHARLES DIDDAMS ] - Mr. P.B. Macgregor,
[ PETER BALDERSTONE MACGREGOR ] - the Rev Dr. Rowe,
[ GEORGE EDWARD ROWE ] - the Rev. A.G. Weller,
[ ALFRED GEORGE WELLER ] - Brigadier Harris [Salvation Army],
[ ALFRED JAMES STEWART HARRIS ] - and Chaplain Lieutenant-Colonel Garland (Hon. Secretary).
[ DAVID JOHN GARLAND ]
– from page 4 of The Brisbane Courier of 1 March 1916.
