VP80

Townsville City Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government, proudly presents VP80 – commemorating 80 years since Victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II.

Held across three days, VP80 will include commemorative services and the VP80 Community Day, held on Saturday 16 August. This free event at The Strand and Jezzine Barracks will feature parades, a flypast, historic displays, vehicle displays and food stalls, finishing with the VP80 Sky Salute!

Full Program

Friday 15 August – VP Day

• 10 to 11am: Commemorative Service and Wreath Laying at the ANZAC Park Cenotaph.
• 12 to 12:30pm: Re-enactment of the War is Over Speech on Flinders Street
• 3:30 to 4:30pm: Joint US/Australian Commemorative Service at the 5^th USAF Memorial, Kissing Point, Jezzine Barracks
• 7 to 10pm: VP80 Dinner Under the Stars – tickets on sale now!

Saturday 16 August – Community Day

• 11am to 4pm: Community Open Day at Jezzine Barracks – historic and vehicle displays, museum tours.
• 4 to 5pm:
  • Exercising Freedom of Entry to the City – 5^th USAF, along The Strand to Jezzine Parade Ground
  • Parade of Veterans in Vehicles – Bands of 1 RAR and USAF, marching contingents from 3^rd Brigade and RAAF Townsville, along The Strand –The focus of VP80 has always been intended to not only honour the surviving World War II Veterans – but those who served our country and have now passed. VP80 is an opportunity for descendants and family to honour their fathers, mothers, grandparents, uncles and aunties - Register now to march in the Parade of Heroes
• 5 to 5:30pm: Aircraft Flypast – historic aircraft and current
• 5:30 to 7pm: VP80 Concert:
  • 1 RAR Band
  • 5^th USAF Band
  • The Pacific Belles – Music of the War Years
• 7 to 7:30pm: VP80 Sky Salute – Pyrotechnics Display on The Strand

Sunday 17 August

• 9am: 31^st Battalion Association Annual Commemorative Service at St James Cathedral
• 10 to 11am: Pilgrimage to the Townsville War Cemetery at Belgian Gardens
• All day: Self-Drive Historic Sites Tours, including RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre
• 4 to 6pm: Pre-Game Ceremony at Cowboys Home Game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium