FRASER COAST library staff are busy creating an ANZAC Day Avenue of Honour so the local community can remember and pay tribute to those who served the country.
School children and adults are being encouraged to research an ANZAC to help contribute to the project.
People have until 18 April, 2021 to make their submissions – which includes a copyright-free photo.
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Mayor George Seymour said the avenue would include posters and other information displays to help people learn more about the individuals who fought for Australia.
“We’ll include a QR code on the posters so people with smart phones can access the written history of the ANZACs,” Cr Seymour said.
“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to participate so we can remember those who served our country,” he said.
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To help people research an ANZAC, Fraser Coast Libraries staff member Sam Thompson has produced an online guide that can be accessed via frasercoastlibrarites.eventbrite.com.
Sam shared a bit of her own family’s history to show just how much information people can access and discover if they take part it in the project.
Just one month after arriving on the Western Front in 1917, Private Leslie Thompson, Sam’s great uncle, was in the trenches, holding the front line with his unit when an enemy shell exploded.
The World War I soldier was gravely wounded by shrapnel in the back and chest. Despite receiving treatment from the First Field Ambulance, Private Thompson died as a result of his severe injuries.
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Sam said people had a deep need to know their past.
She said war service records, along with other historical information, gave people a chance to gain insight into the lives of their family or community members.
“Even being able to see their handwriting has a huge emotional impact,” Ms Thompson said.
“What better way to honour people in our family, or people from elsewhere in Australia, who fought so we can be free.”
ANZAC Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 April this year. The day will be observed with a public holiday on Monday, 26 April in Queensland.