So no one stands alone

Veteran Arnold ‘Dickie’ Bird, 89, is determined to keep the memory of local veterans alive forever. 

For most of the past three decades, Dickie proudly maintained the old and new Beachmere Remembrance Memorial, only recently passing the reins to another volunteer. 

The task is no small feat. As well as keeping the grounds tidy, it involves liaising with families and committees, obtaining approvals, researching records, mounting brass plaques, and arranging dedication events.  

“It's really an honour,” the Beachmere RSL Sub Branch Life Member says. 

“These people fought for their country, and the majority of them served in war or war-like conditions. 

“The memorial is keeping their memory alive. Their family can come and look at the wall, place a poppy there and just remember what their loved one did. To me, it's a great privilege to have done that.” 

Located in north Brisbane, the Beachmere Remembrance Memorial was first built in 1996 then rebuilt in its current location in 2008. Today, it features a central cross and obelisk (a replica from the original site) surrounded by stone walls – one each for the Army, Navy and Air Force. 

Largely thanks to Dickie, around 115 plaques on those walls bear the names of every late resident who served in the Australian or Allied forces. 

Among them is one of Dickie’s sons, who served in the Army and sadly passed away in 1986. His plaque was the very first that Dickie placed on the old memorial before the plaques’ relocation to the new memorial. 

“There's a lot of names there going right back to the ANZACs,” Dickie says. 

“Everyone who was in uniform and lived in Beachmere can be here.”

From the land to the Air Force 

Arnold was christened ‘Dickie’ Bird when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1955, aged 19. Born to a farming family, he’d “never been off the land” before his recruitment interview and medical exam in Sydney.

Dickie served all over Australia and deployed to Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, working on equipment supply, plant operating, and building airstrips.

ANZAC Day 1959 – when he was part of a guard of honour at North Borneo’s Labuan War Memorial and saw where the Japanese surrendered in 1945 – was among many of Dickie’s career highlights.

So was unexpectedly hatching a chicken (appropriately named Henrietta) in his locker, and meeting his wife Lyn, who served in the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF). 

“I think any role in the Defence Force is very important,” Dickie says.

“I was proud to represent my country as much as I did. I wore that uniform, represented my country… I liked it and stayed there for 21 years. 

“We had some sad times over in Malaya; we lost a couple of fellas. But I wouldn't pass [my service] up if I ever had the chance again.

“it's a good journey. I'd encourage anyone to join up.” 

After service 

Dickie and Lyn joined Beachmere RSL Sub Branch when they retired to Brisbane in 1989. However, Dickie’s drive to serve never ceased. 

As a Sub Branch member, he’s volunteered in many ways, from serving on the Board to conducting Poppy Services at veterans’ funerals, organising commemoration services and – for 26 years – assisting at the local school.  

It was Dickie’s work maintaining the war memorial that prompted historian and researcher Karen Wallwork (a fellow Sub Branch member) to pen a poem in his honour. 

Placing the Plaque  

There he sits beside the wall, 

Spirit level held with care, 

Hands worn by time, yet steady still— 

He places each name square. 

No grand parade, no bugle cry, 

Just morning sun and stone, 

Aligning memories, row by row, 

So no one stands alone. 

A humble task, a sacred one, 

Done quiet, true, and slow. 

A final honour, lined in brass, 

For those we used to know. 

Thank you for what you do, old friend, 

This wall remembers yet. 

Each name a life, a debt, a vow— 

Lest we forget.

According to Karen, the poem was inspired by “a simple yet powerful moment”.  

“While most of Beachmere slept in the early hours of ANZAC Day 2025, Dickie was already at the memorial, carefully preparing the wall for its newest plaque,” she explains.  

“Alone and without ceremony, he levelled and placed a name among the many already honoured there. There was no crowd to witness it. No anthem played. Yet it felt sacred.” 

Through the poem, Karen wanted to capture “the quiet devotion behind remembrance – the unseen acts that make public ceremonies possible”.  

“Through Dickie’s work, each name is not merely recorded; it is respectfully remembered. It is a reaffirmation that we do not forget,” she says. 

“Dickie’s dedication and meticulous care ensure the memorial is always presented with dignity. That standard flows into the wider community; people notice, and they respond with respect.” 

Dickie was humbled but pleased with the honour. 

“As volunteers, we don't expect to get too much reward for what we do. I don't look forward to being out in the limelight, but I was very chuffed when Karen’s poem came out,” he says. 

“It’s been very rewarding and touching to maintain the memorial.”

Honouring all who wore the uniform 

Uniforms run in Dickie’s family. His daughter, son-in-law and grandson all serve in the Defence Force, while one of his sons is a police offer. 

He looks forward to joining them and fellow veterans this ANZAC Day, as well as helping out with the morning service and enjoying a gunfire breakfast. 

“It's good to have all the family together: my son, grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and my wife and I all together in suits with medals. It's real nice,” he says.  

Dickie will also be sure to make a toast to his late son. 

“I always go and put a poppy on my boy and have a bit of rum in front of him and his plaque,” he shares. 

Dickie says it’s “very important” to have commemorations like ANZAC Day. 

“ANZAC Day to me is remembering all those people – the [Army] diggers, the Air Force and the Navy members – who went out and fought for their country,” he says. 

“We honour who they were, what they achieved, and their memory. Their memory has to live on forever and be taught to the next generation.” 

Let’s show the ANZAC spirit lives here.  

ANZAC Day is more than simply a date on the calendar.  

It’s a time for Australians and New Zealanders to come together and honour the courage, sacrifice and mateship of all who have served.  

It’s a call to carry those values forward every day, and a reminder of just how lucky and grateful we are.  

So, whether you join a Dawn Service, pause at home in quiet reflection, or share stories with family and friends, your participation matters. Every action, big or small, honours the ANZACs and shows us that the ANZAC spirit lives here.