State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan officiated on Thursday at the naming of Caboolture’s D’Aguilar Highway overpass bridge: the ‘Sgt Frank Wust Bridge’.
The naming of the bridge follows a strong, community campaign, led by local people, local community organisations and the Papuan Infantry Battalion – New Guinea Infantry Battalion – Head Quarters – Pacific Islands Regiment Association.
Mr Ryan said the association’s Secretary Kev Horton had been the strong supporter, lobbying the Department of Transport and Main Roads to name the bridge that spans Old Gympie, Beerburrum and Pumicestone Roads.
“The naming today of the Sgt Frank Wust Bridge is a truly great day for our community,” Mr Ryan said at the event.
“The campaign to name the bridge after Sergeant Wust was spearheaded by the PIR Association and supported by many community groups, including the Caboolture Historical Society, the Caboolture RSL and representatives of the local traditional owners.
“Sgt Wust had a distinguished military career, enlisting at 17 and serving his country until the end of WWII in 1945.
“In PNG Sgt Wust worked with indigenous soldiers on the Kokoda Campaign, often spending up to a week at a time behind enemy lines as they gathered valuable intelligence.
“After the war Sgt Wust settled, along with his wife, on Caboolture’s Lower King Street, where they raised their family of nine children, worked and lived, until he passed away only a few years ago.
“I feel very proud that a distinguished, long-serving member of our community will be remembered in this way.”
Kev Horton, Hon Secretary/Treasurer of the PIR Association said the bridge naming was a fitting way to remember his mate, Frank Wust.
“For myself personally and the PIR Association, the official bridge naming ceremony was a very fitting way to recognise in perpetuity Sgt Frank Wust, a great soldier, proud Aussie and loyal mate,” he said.
“A beautiful day, terrific support from the Historical Society, Show Society, RSL and Department of Transport and Main Roads personnel and many others, and seeing the pride and joy on the faces of the Wust family made it all worthwhile.”
