Residents and visitors are invited to remember the Australians and New Zealanders who have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, at the Anzac Day commemorative services held across the Parkes Shire this Wednesday, April 25.
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The day will be marked at a variety of ceremonies and services held in Parkes, as well as the townships of Alectown, Bogan Gate, Peak Hill, Trundle, and Tullamore.
The dawn service at 5.30am on top of Memorial Hill begins the day’s commemorations in Parkes, followed by the well-attended Anzac Day march that begins outside the Parkes Services Club at 8.35am and the civic ceremony at 9am in Cooke Park.
“Anzac Day is an opportunity to remember all Australians who have served and given their lives for our country,” Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said.
“It is also a chance to commemorate the Anzac spirit, which encompasses the qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice.
“These qualities form a strong part of the Australian identity and continue to be a source of national pride.”
Parkes RSL Sub-Branch Secretary, Paul Thomas said they encourage locals to venture out and join them on Wednesday.
“We encourage residents and visitors to attend any of the community commemorative activities across the Parkes Shire, including the dawn services, Anzac marches, civic ceremonies and wreath laying,” he said.
“This Anzac Day, we are particularly proud to unveil the new Rawdon Hume Middleton VC Memorial and Colin Hendry DFC Memorial.”
The memorials will be officially dedicated by Air Vice-Marshall Stephen Osbourne AM CSC – who is a former Parkes man and this year’s special guest speaker – at 11.30am at the Parkes Services Club.
The full Parkes Shire 2018 Anzac Day Program is available for download from council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Hard copies of the program will be distributed on the day.
Civic Commemorations
Anzac Day and Remembrance Day are the two most significant events on the Returned and Services League’s (RSL) calendar.
Remembrance Day 2018 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the killing in World War I.
This War was also known as the “First World War”, the “Great War” or the “War To End All Wars”.
Sadly, this did not happen.
This Anzac Day marks the 103rd anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs.
Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand.
This is a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same day of remembrance but making reference to both countries in its name.
Dawn Service
The Parkes Dawn Service will be held on the Memorial Hill where representatives of the armed forces, serving and ex-service men and women, Parkes’ organizations and schoolchildren commemorate and lay wreaths for the fallen.
The ceremony commences at 5:30am and there will be seats available for the aged and infirm ex-service men and women as well as for the public attending this solemn, moving ceremony.
The ceremony will be completed by 6:30am where the Memorial will remain opened for a time to allow for the viewing of the wreaths.
All those who go to the Dawn Service are invited back to the Parkes Services Club for a free breakfast hosted by the Club.
While you are on the Hill and before you leave, take note of the repainted Memorial, the Bofors anti-aircraft gun east of the memorial and take a walk along the Remembrance Walk through the Theatres of Conflict Gardens.
On your way down, view the relocated Vietnam War Memorial with its 25 pdr gun and the linking steps from the Rotary Peace Gate through to the Remembrance Walk and the Memorial.
All this work is just the first stage of the Memorial Hill Restoration Project by the Memorial Hill Rejuvenation Committee, Parkes Shire Council and the Parkes volunteering community.
Anzac Day March
The Anzac Day March will be led by Air Vice Marshal Stephen Osborne, AM, CSC, who is Commander Joint Agency Task Force of Operation Sovereign Borders followed by serving and former service men and women.
The Parkes Shire Concert Band will play the marching music.
The march will include contingents from the Parkes Schools plus scouts and guides.
We are asking all service and ex-service men and women of Parkes to march to recognise that special event.
Now days all ex-service men and women irrespective of overseas service are now termed Veterans.
We are also inviting the people of Parkes to march with us and wear their ancestor’s medals with pride on their right chest.
If you do not wish to march, come as a spectator and wear your ancestor’s medals with pride and to show your respect to your ancestor’s contribution to the defence of Australia.
The March will start off at about 8.35am from in front of the Parkes Services Club.
Those marching should be there by about 8.15am to form up.
Cooke Park Civic Ceremony
The 2018 Cooke Park Civic Ceremony will start off immediately after the March at 9.00am.
The Parkes Shire Concert Band will play the music and the Middleton Public School Choir will provide the vocal accompaniment.
The MC for this event will be Mr Kent Boyd, General Manager, Parkes Shire Council and the Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Ken Keith, OAM, will recite the Prologue.
The Principal Address will be by AVM Stephen Osbourne, AM CSC, and the “Anzac Addresses by Modern Youth” will be made by school captains from Parkes High School and Parkes Christian School.
Pilgrimage to Parkes War Graves
At 10.45am there will be the pilgrimage to the Parkes Cemetery with a small wreath laying service at the WWI digger’s statue and brief service will be held and wreaths laid on each of the graves in the War Graves section.
Everyone is invited to attend.
Dedication of Displays
At 11.30 am, AVM Osbourne will dedicate two displays at the Parkes RSL display cabinets in the Parkes Services Club.
Also attending will be Mr Philip Donato, MP, Member for Orange.
The displays are dedications honouring Pilot Officer Rawdon Middleton VC and Flying Officer Colin Hendry DFC.
We all know about PO Middleton VC and his heroic deeds and his relationship with the Parkes area, but FO Hendry DFC was the highest decorated Parkes born serviceman of WWII.
Anzac Day Luncheon
The Anzac Luncheon will be held at 12 noon for Sub Branch members and invited guests.
AVM Osborne will give the keynote address.
In addition to Mr Philip Donato and Cr Ken Keith, other invitees include the RSL Western Districts President, Mr Greg Salmon, MM, Parkes RSL Women’s Auxiliary, Parkes War Widows, Parkes Torchbearers for Legacy and the captains of all Parkes Schools and their chaperone teachers.
Should any other veteran wish to attend please contact the Sub Branch for catering purposes.
Your attendance would be most welcome.
Two Up
The annual Anzac Day Two Up will take place in the Starlight Lounge of the Parkes Services starting at 2.30pm and ending at 6.00pm.
All proceeds will go to Parkes Legacy.
Retreat
Anzac Day 2018 will come to a close at 5.00pm with the lowering of the Flag and the Last Post at the Cooke Park Cenotaph.
Badge Sales
The annual Anzac Day badge sales, raffle and street stall will not be carried out this year as the RSL State Branch has banned all fundraising in all Sub Branches seemingly moving the blame for HO governance issues onto Sub Branches.
Terry Knowles, Parkes RSL Sub Branch President
Around the villages
Bogan Gate 6am - Dawn Service and Commemoration of names.
Tullamore 6am – Dawn Service, Memorial Park; 10.45am - Community Walk, Auto Centre; 11am - Commemorative Service Memorial Park, morning tea available; 12pm - Lunch Tullamore Bowling Club; 2pm - Two-Up
Alectown 6am – Dawn Service, Alectown Hall.
Peak Hill 6am – Dawn Service, AIF Memorial Gates; 6.20am – Breakfast, Services and Citizens Club; 10.30am – March Fall In; 10.45am March procession; 11am – Commemorative Service; 12.30pm -Commemorative Service For the Servicemen and Ex-Service Women Peak Hill Cemetery; 12.30pm Lunch; 6pm Sound Retreat; 9pm The Ode.
Trundle 10.50am – March ‘Fall In’ Central School; 11am – Commemorative Service, Memorial Hall.