HINCHINBROOK HONOURS SERVICE THROUGH PRESERVING LOCAL MILITARY HISTORY

31st Battalion, 1939, Anzac Day Parade, Ingham. Photo supplied

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Long before their names appeared in service records and memorials, they were part of everyday life in regional Queensland.  

They were young people with families, neighbours with futures, community members with hopes much like our own. Their willingness to sacrifice their world in service of others has left a lasting mark on the region and on the generations that followed.

As Anzac Day approaches, residents are encouraged to reflect on Hinchinbrook Shire Library’s extensive and significant record of the region’s military heritage, with a particular focus on the 31st Battalion, The Kennedy Regiment.

Mayor Ramon Jayo said Anzac Day offers an important opportunity to connect remembrance with learning and local history.

“Anzac Day reminds us that service and sacrifice are not abstract ideas, they are lived experiences of people from our own towns, streets and families,” Mayor Jayo said.

“Our Library plays a vital role in preserving these stories and ensuring they remain accessible to the community, researchers and future generations.”

The special collection was bequeathed to the Hinchinbrook Shire Library by Captain Bob Burla RFD, ED & Bars (RL), the voluntary historian for the 31st Battalion Infantry Association.

Since its establishment in 1999, it has become a major custodian of documentary material relating to the 31st Battalion, including service records, photographs, personal papers, publications and military ephemera.

Complementing this military collection, the Library’s Special Collections also encompass local histories, photographs, council records and newspapers.

Together, these materials help tell the broader story of life in the Hinchinbrook Shire during times of both peace and conflict.

Mayor Jayo said these collections ensure remembrance remains active, relevant and meaningful.

“Preserving history is not simply about looking back, it’s about ensuring future generations understand the service, resilience and contributions of those who came before them,” he said.

“Our library collections allow these stories to be shared with accuracy, respect and strong local context.”

Community members, veterans, families and students are encouraged to visit the Hinchinbrook Shire Library at 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham, during normal hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday 10:00am–4:00pm
Thursday 10:00am–6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am–12:00pm

The library will be closed on Anzac Day, with further information on commemoration services available at www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au/2026-anzac-day-commemoration-services/  

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