WWI Memorial Journey - Great Western Circuit Warwick, Toowoomba, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Stanthorpe 6 Days – 1767 Kilometres
WWI Memorial Journey - Great Western Circuit Warwick, Toowoomba, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Stanthorpe 6 Days – 1767 Kilometres The Great Western Circuit explores the Southern Queensland country region including the Darling Downs before heading west into Southern Outback Queensland and the Channel Country. Initially the Great Western Circuit between Warwick and Toowoomba follows the trail of the only ‘snowball’ recruitment march in Queensland. The march of the ‘Dungarees’, as they called themselves, began in Warwick in November 1915. Its purpose was to gather volunteers along the way in order to strengthen troop numbers and to foster patriotism within the Empire. The ‘Dungarees’ passed the Boer War soldier memorial in Allora. It may have inspired the young men of the district to continue that tradition of war service. The following day, the unveiling of the first memorial to an individual soldier in the Nobby Cemetery was a sobering reminder of the perils of war. The remainder of this War Memorials Journey travels west from Toowoomba via Goombungee, Cooyar, Dalby, Chinchilla, Roma and Mitchell to Charleville, south to Cunnamulla and then east again through St George, Nindigully, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe and back to Warwick. 2 Warwick to Toowoomba Toowoomba to Dalby (via Goombungee 1 Hr 27 Mins / 101 Kilometres and Cooyar) The Warwick Memorial Gates mark the start of 2 Hrs 11 Mins / 167 Kilometres the ‘Dungarees’ March on 16 November 1915. Travel west from Toowoomba on the Dalby Road and turn right at Kingsthorpe to head to The journey to Toowoomba passes by the Goombungee where a soldier statue memorial historic Glengallan homestead and through is situated in the main street.
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