The Cowra Anzac Day Organising Committee welcomes all participants and visitors, on behalf of the President and Members of the Cowra RSL sub-Branch and the Mayor and Councillors of the Cowra Shire.
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Dawn Service – 6am
At 5:50am, Veterans, Ex-Service Personnel and Serving Men and Women form up Bartlett Street, from where they will march to the Cenotaph in Brisbane Street for the Dawn Service at 6am, which will be hosted by Mr Jono Webber, Cowra RSL sub-Branch President.
Following the service, a light breakfast will be provided for Veterans, Ex-Service Personnel and Serving Men and Women and invited guests in the sub-Branch rooms.
Breakfast will be provided by the ladies of the Canimbla Branch of the CWA.
Cowra Police advise that motor vehicles should not be left overnight on the eastern side of Brisbane Street between Kendal and Bartlett Street, i.e. in front of the Cenotaph.
War Cemetery – 9:30am
A short service at the Cowra Australian War Cemetery will be hosted by Mr Tony Mooney, Cowra RSL sub-Branch.
Parade Formation and Community Wreath Laying – 10.20am
At the Cenotaph, participants, under the command of Parade Marshall Jono Webber, are to form up in the pre-determined Order of March. Please respect the Marshall’s requests to “shunt” your contingent if required.
Alamein Company of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, under the command of Capt. Ben Wilkinson, is once again our Guard of Honour.
Taxis will also be provided free of charge by Lachlan Radio Cabs and the Cowra RSL sub-Branch to convey disabled veterans in the march.
Please speak to your driver if you require the assistance.
The Flag Party, consisting of flags, banners and pennants respective of those marching, will be provided by Cowra’s 2nd Platoon Cowra Cadet Unit South West Slopes.
The wreath laying service will commence when the Parade is assembled and when concluded, the march to River Park will take place.
The March
Marching to a designated point to conduct a commemorative service is traditional and symbolic.
It originally provided soldiers with the opportunity to “march away from the battlefield to a quiet place where they commemorate the loss of their comrades.”
Today the march is symbolic, but its meaning is not lost to those who returned.
River Park Service – 11am
The MC for the Service will be Deputy Mayor, Cr Judi Smith and officiating the Service will be Major Cathryn Williamson, Cowra RSL sub-Branch Chaplain.
Guest speakers will be two Staff Cadets from Alamein Company.
Mrs Gay Hilton will provide the vocal lead for the singing of hymns and the school captains from St Raphael’s and Cowra High School will participate by reading from the Order of Service.
Railway Memorial – 12:30pm
A wreath laying service will be conducted at the Railway Memorial, corner of Brougham and Campbell Streets.
Please note: the Cowra RSL sub-Branch will not be providing a luncheon, however meals can be purchased from the Cowra Services Club Bistro.
Participants in the Parade are requested to wear full size medals and decorations, miniatures should not be worn.
This year the march will be lead by women from all eras and conflicts to recognise their contribution to the defence forces and to illustrate the changing face of Australian veterans.
The “By the Left” initiative is about telling the public that women do all the roles men do.
Many of the older women will be considered veterans for the first time after the official definition was widened last year beyond those that served overseas to any members of the defence forces who were honourably or medically discharged.
“Relatives of Veterans” banner
We ask you to please note children and relatives representing deceased veterans are invited to the march, wearing the veteran’s medals on their right breast and are requested to fall in under the “relatives of veterans” banner at the rear of the main contingent.
The Cowra RSL sub-Branch actively encourages relatives of deceased veterans to march on this special day.
However it is unsafe for our elderly veterans and for young children when they participate in the main parade contingent together.
Members of the public are invited to attend all commemorative events during the day and to display the Australian national flag and hand wavers during the ceremonies and march.
Any further information may be obtained by contacting the Cowra RSL sub-Branch Secretary on 6342 3540.