AN enthusiastic group of people gathered at Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on Tuesday night to share ideas for a local commemoration of the centenary of the start of World War 1 and ANZAC Day.
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Chaired by Gunnedah Mayor Owen Hasler, the meeting attracted representatives from a wide cross section of the community keen to have an input into the celebration.
The Gunnedah and District Historical Society is leading the way, with a book edited by Ron McLean, recording everyone who served in the Great War from this district.
Mr McLean said the small working group had made good progress, with around 48,000 words already written and 300 photographs scanned.
“We envisage that the book will be around 220 pages, similar to the Sesquicentenary book, The Way We Were,” he said.
“We are in the process of applying for grants to publish the book but we desperately need around $10,000 in working capital to get it to publication.”
Cr Hasler spoke about a number of funding avenues being pursued by council, noting that there was funding available through the Department of Veterans Affairs for schools to undertake projects.
A number of schools were represented at the meeting, with ideas to hold activities at school level and be involved with community functions.
Manager of The Civic complex, Susan Wilson also has plans under way for a display at the Creative Arts Centre, which will involve school children.
Another suggestion was to hold a re-enactment of the Wallaby March, which could involve students, as well as contacting the Light Horse for a parade.
Other ideas were to involve the pony club and Massed Choir which could be themed on WW1 and to hold a themed ball.
The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society’s, Mila Stone, said there could also be an avenue for the poetry competition to be included in the theme.
Kerry Bee from the RSL, said the club will be organising an extensive program for ANZAC Day in 2015.
Among the many other suggestions was an idea to plant a memorial avenue of trees, which gave rise to questions about the palms in Railway Avenue, which it is thought may have been planted after the war.
“These events are not ‘set in concrete’ as yet, but each of the participants has been asked to firm up the concept over the next month and report on progress to our next meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 25,” Cr Hasler said.
“I think we can be assured from these early plans that Gunnedah will, once again, have a series of commemorations of a very significant event in the history of Australia, then a relatively young nation, that we will be proud of.
“The organising committee will be pleased to welcome others who wish to assist or who have other worthwhile ideas at the next meeting on June 25,” Cr Hasler said.
Anyone who can help with information about the avenue is asked to contact Val Fearby on 6742 6733.
A second meeting will be held in June when an umbrella group will be formed, with local organisations encouraged to plan events.
For further information or to offer suggestions contact Owen Hasler at Gunnedah Shire Council.
