Southern Downs Regional Council will welcome esteemed members of the Australian Defence Force to the Southern Downs to commemorate Anzac Day across the region.

Commander Robert Eames of the Royal Australian Navy Reserves will serve as Reviewing Officer for Stanthorpe’s Anzac Day service, while Commodore Peter Ashworth OAM of the Royal Australian Navy will serve as the Reviewing Officer for Warwick’s Anzac Day service. CDRE Ashworth is the most experienced Anzac Day Reviewing Officer to ever take part in an Anzac Day service in Warwick.

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie and Councillors will accompany the Reviewing Officers as the region pauses to pay its respects and reflect upon those who served Australia in conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations. The Mayor said Anzac Day is one of the most important days on the Australian calendar and paid tribute to the dedicated RSL Sub Branches and community groups across the region hosting commemorative services.

β€œAnzac Day gives all Australians the opportunity to reflect on who we are as a nation and to pay their respects to those who served, or continue to serve, our country in the armed forces,” Cr Dobie said. β€œWe are extremely lucky to call Australia home, and Australia is such a wonderful place to live thanks to the courage and sacrifice of our service men and women. I will be attending the dawn service in Stanthorpe, then the War Graves and Anzac Day March and Anzac Service in Leslie Park, and I am honoured to welcome CMDR Eames and CDRE Ashworth to our region. I encourage all residents to attend one of the many services across the Southern Downs and honour our Anzacs spirit.”

CMDR Eames joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1965 as a junior entry and served for 26 years on several ships and patrol boats before retiring in 1992. In 2006, CMDR Eames joined the Navy Reserve and now works at Navy Headquarters in Canberra.

CDRE Ashworth joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 where he has served for the past 41 years. In 2018, CDRE Ashworth received the Medal of the Order of Australia Day (OAM) for β€˜meritorious service in the field of Navy aviation and project management’.

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