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Commemorative programme celebrating 60 years

August 2 , 2005

Sixty years ago then Governor Sir Leslie Wilson celebrated the successful protection of our north coast from the Japanese with the help of our American allies. To remember this great celebration a two-week programme has been organised starting with the placement of 500 white crosses to be received by the Australian Governor General and culminating in a formal ball to be held at the Caloundra Cultural Centre on Saturday, August 20.

The programme will commence on Monday, August 8 when the Governor of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffrey, will be the guest of honour. Five hundred small crosses will be placed in Kings Beach Park with a helicopter delivering a larger white cross at 10am, which the Governor General will accept on behalf of the Unknown Soldier.

The other major event in the programme is the formal ball hosted by the Sunshine Coast Concert Band with Queensland Governor, Quentin Bryce as guest of honour, on Saturday August 20 at the Caloundra Cultural Centre.

The formal ball promises to be the best event of its kind ever to be hosted on the Coast and musical director, Ken Chadwick and his 40-piece dance band will be accompanied by singers including Alan Winter, TJ’s Elvis and our local stars, the Andrew Sisters. The dance programme will include the fox trot, barn dance, modern waltz, Pride of Erin, evening 3-step, jazz, swing and classic Glenn Miller music.

“Our dances are always incredibly popular and the sixty years of history will make this dance even more special,” Ken Chadwick said.

“People on the coast don’t have many opportunities to put their dancing shoes on and by providing the music and venue we have no doubt it will be well supported and everyone will have a great time.”

The Caloundra Cultural Centre has a sprung floor making it ideal for dancing the night away and the venue will be decorated in a 1940’s theme to celebrate the occasion.

The dress code is black tie and tickets are $40 each which includes hot and cold finger foods, BYO drinks and are available in Caloundra from Angus and Robertson (22a Bulcock St) and Rolling Surf Resort Tel: 54919 777.

Other events included in the programme are a burning the crosses ceremony at 10am on Friday, August 12 hosted at Gregson & Weight crematorium and the Returned Soldiers March on Saturday, August 14 at 10am from the Rolling Surf Car Park. James Morrison will perform at Kings Beach Park at 4pm on Saturday.

The wreath laying ceremony will take place at Cenotaph Headland on Monday, August 15 at 9:30am.

Ends.