Inverell will unite on Wednesday to commemorate Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought and died for their country.
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As always, the schedule of events for Anzac Day will begin at the RSM Club at 5.45am in preparation for the Dawn Service across the road at the Cenotaph.
RSL sub-branch secretary Graeme Clinch said a bus will leave the club at 8am heading to Gilgai’s service and will return in time for Inverell’s march.
“We’ve shortened the march this year to accommodate for our older Diggers who still want to march and our increasing number of young people who are taking time out of their day to participate,” he said.
The new formation location this year will be between Gaurkroger’s in Oliver Street. March proceedings will head up Vivian Street to Byron and then follow the usual route to the Cenotaph.
Mr Clinch said vehicles were supplied for marchers unable to walk, however there were some Digger wishing to hold their pride high by remaining on foot.
“Some of the young tuckers had problems with the heat last year because it was stinking hot so we want to ensure we look after the people who are taking time out of their own day to march,” he said.
RSL Sub-Branch members had been asked if the direction had changed because of work being done in Otho Street by the council, however Mr Clinch said construction had nothing to do with it.
The shorter route also accommodates for the local pipe band who generously march each year.
Inverell’s main Anzac Day service is scheduled to begin at 11am at the Cenotaph with a huge crowd expected.
Mr Clinch encouraged everyone in the community to take the time to pay their respects on April 25.
Meanwhile, the RSL Sub-Branch are in planning stages for Remembrance Day (November 11). This year will mark the 100th anniversary since the end of WWI.
“There was a lot of Diggers from Inverell that went away to the First World War because they were apart of the Kurrajong’s, formed in Inverell,” Mr Clinch said.
The Sub-Branch would like to see the community take hold of the celebration side of Remembrance Day.
“We will take care of the commemoration side but it would be great to see a committee set up for the entertainment side. We’d like to have a Kurrajong reenactment.”
