By TANIA PHILLIPS
ANZAC Day this year was a special celebration for the nation – 100 years since the landing at Gallopoli but this week it will be Warwick’s turn to remember its own special part in the war and the war effort.
Friday marks 100 years since a group of men marched from Warwick to Brisbane to enlist in the army.
Twenty-eight Warwick men started that march with their ranks swelling to 125 by the time they finished the 239 kilometre journey a couple of weeks later.
The residents of the Southern Downs will travel back in time to 1915 to remember the 125 men who marched took part in the March of the Dungarees to enlist in the World War I.
Beginning at 5.30pm at Warwick Town Hall, the Demonstration of Support event, hosted by renowned poet Marco Gliori, is aimed at capturing the energy and community support shown to farewell the local men on the eve of their departure 100 years ago.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s Mayor Peter Blundell said the re-enactment parade will be led by the 11th Lighthorse Warwick-Montrose Troop, Warwick City Brass Band and Warwick Thistle Pipe Band.
“After the parade, we’ve got a full schedule of entertainment inside the Town Hall starting from 7pm,” the Mayor said.
“Guests will be able to enjoy musical performances, storytelling and poetry, as well as light refreshments including homemade Anzac biscuits baked by the Queensland Country Women’s Association.
“It’s wonderful to see so many members of our community involved in the event, as well as some well-known celebrities such as Norma O’Hara Murphy who will perform her new song dedicated to the March of the Dungarees.
“‘The March of Dungarees Demonstration of Support was a significant event in Warwick and one we should be very proud of.
“This occasion helps us to keep the memories alive and share the story with younger generations,” the Mayor said.
Tickets to the event are free but limited.
Book at www.warwicktickets.com.au or visitors can bring their own chair and view the event under the stars.
As part of the commemorations South East Queenslanders were also asked to contribute to commemorative walls that are to be erected in Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora libraries today as part of the 100th anniversary.
The commemorative walls aim to showcase the Anzac values of courage, integrity, duty, mate-ship, compassion, resilience, and teamwork demonstrated by the Anzacs.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s Manager Community Services Sheila Stebbings said the organising committee worked with Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora libraries to display memorabilia and contributions relating to the 1915 march.
“We’ve have been calling for contributions of (replica) memorabilia relating to the march, such as letters, photographs or other documents,” she said.
On Saturday morning, 140 young men and women, aged from 13 to 18, from the Australian Army Cadets will embark on an epic eight-day journey, walking from Warwick to Brisbane to commemorate the men recruited as part of the original 1915 March of the Dungarees.
In an attempt to combat waning recruitment numbers for World War I a recruitment initiative known as ‘snowball marches’ was instigated.
In south-east Queensland it was called March of the Dungarees – the only march of its kind in Queensland.
The 2015 re-enactment march will be a rolling event, with marchers, including a contingent from Stanthorpe and Warwick, acting almost as a relay to complete the 239 kilometre journey in eight-days with the longest distance covered in one day being 42 kilometres.
