Kangaroo March Re-enactment Riverina Leg Commemorative booklet proudly presented by Michael McCormack MP 5-11 September 2015 Federal Member for Riverina BE PART OF HISTORY KANGAROOS are endemic to Australia and our nation’s military, early RSL CLUB HONOURS in its history, recognised the powerful symbolism the famous marsupial evoked. Australian Imperial Force units had kangaroos as regimental mascots and MARCH ENTHUSIASTS: With (from KANGAROO HEROES their image was commonly used on left) Kangaroo March Re-Enactment postcards sent to and from the various committee vice-president Rhondda Vanzella THE names of the 88 original Wagga John Keyes choked back tears as he theatres of war, such as those reproduced OAM, RSL Rural Commemorative Youth Choir Wagga Wagga and Junee Mobs’ Wagga Kangaroos have long been told of a mere boy, officially listed as 18 on the front and back covers of this Director Marg Davies and music and chiselled in marble in the Victory years old, who headed off on the march keepsake booklet. education co-ordinator O J Rushton. Memorial Gardens and are now cut into and never returned. Naturally, a recruitment march formed in who is responsible for march music and steel in a fitting tribute at the RSL Club. Wounded in action three times, Sid – VC WINNER Wagga Wagga needed a strong identity education. To honour these daring local heroes, the a private in the 13th Battalion – finally so the name Kangaroos was adopted for RSL Club commissioned a special new fell on the Western Front on 1 March the marchers. Over coming weeks all the hard work, A BRAVE ROO planning and preparation will be memorial to stand alongside its granite 1918 ... a spirited young man who Gallant men with a sense of adventure realised as the 2015 version takes place monument at the entrance. answered his country’s call in its time JOHN RYAN (pictured) was from Cootamundra, Harden, Harefield, along the route from Wagga Wagga to Opened at a poignant twilight service of need and who paid the supreme the most famous of the Wagga Humula, Marrar, Oura, The Rock, Campbelltown. on 23 April this year, the Kangaroo sacrifice. Wagga Kangaroos, earning a Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga and March centenary memorial, a $100,000 He was laid to rest in the Spoilbank Victoria Cross not long before elsewhere were amongst the 88 originals Our region owes a debt of gratitude to FALLEN: Sidney Keyes with his project, features three rusted steel blades Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders, in Belgium. mother Edith. World War I ended in 1918. who set off on 1 December 1915 amidst those 1915 Kangaroos who went to fight standing on a sandstone base. It is so pleasing he is at much fanfare and patriotism. for what was right ... “by courage and faith” according to the official banner. long last to be appropriately Across the Riverina, families were proud Each blade represents the three armed acknowledged with a life-sized to have a representative do their duty So “hop in” and be sure to join the 2015 forces in proportionate size, supporting bronze statue in the town of ... yet worried about their brave sons celebrations and colour of this very each other. his birth, Tumut. marching off to war. special event starting at the Historic The blades, rusted to depict the passing Council Chambers on the morning of Kangaroo recruits were Re-enacting that epic march a century of time, rise from a sandstone surface awarded two Distinguished Saturday 5 September or along the way which represents hardships endured. ago has taken remarkable initiative and at the various stop-offs. Conduct Medals and seven drive by a dedicated group of Southern In recognition of the 88 men who began Military Medals, including Highlanders and credit to them, the Kangaroo March from Wagga my great-great-uncle Leslie particularly effervescent committee Wagga, each of their names accompanies William Curran (see picture president Graham Brown, indefatigable a map of their journey on one of the centre pages) of Coolamon. vice-president Rhondda Vanzella OAM MICHAEL McCORMACK MP blades which are then brilliantly backlit They dared mightily. and the clever and creative O J Rushton, Federal Member for Riverina each evening. The official ANZAC Centenary logo and the numeral 100 appear on the HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES other two blades. THE RSL Rural Commemorative Youth Choir was inspired by the A moving Kangaroo March Re-Enactment to engage young Australians with speech was the spirit of ANZAC and to mark the First World War centenary given at commemorations of 2014-2018. the opening ceremony The choir, made up of primary and secondary students in local communities by retiring (Mobs), represents the face of ANZAC Days to come, involving young Wagga people through history, leadership and music, to encourage them to learn Wagga from the past, live in the present and look to the future. RSL Club Over the next few years, the choir will focus on commemorating World president War I through music, poetry and storytelling to remember the fallen and John Keyes honour local heroes. YOUNG VOICES: Combined whose great- choirs at the Australian War Its theme song, “Young and Free” is available on the kangaroomarch.org.au website uncle Sidney Memorial. and is also on iTunes with proceeds going to support the growth of the choir. Keyes was a Kangaroo. OFFICES OF MICHAEL McCORMACK: IMPRESSIVE: CANBERRA: PO Box 6022, Parliament House, ACT 2600 P: 6277 4725 F: 6277 8563 The Kangaroo GRIFFITH: 100 Yambil Street P: 6964 1212 F: 6962 7722 follow me on: March centenary WAGGA WAGGA: Suite 2 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street P: 6921 4600 F: 6921 5900 twitter monument. E: [email protected] www.michaelmccormack.com.au Picture: Jo Thomas LEST WE FORGET: The illuminated names of the 88 Kangaroos. a r d n u m Riverina March ta KANGAROO: Junee-born oo C Les Curran (1894-1958) to of Coolamon who joined the Junee Reefs march at Goulburn and went on to earn a Military Medal for bravery in Belgium in 1918. Bethungra Illabo Ulandra Nature Reserve Old Junee Junee Wantiool Yathella STARTING OFF: The Kangaroos march along Fitzmaurice Street just past the Kincaid Street corner on 1 December 1915. Photograph courtesy The Kangaroo March Souvenir Edition by Sherry Morris. Eurongilly Harefield Wallacetown Kooringal Stud ALL IN LINE: ANZAC Convalescents with their kangaroo mascot at Salisbury, England, on 27 September 1916. The Gap Downside Brucedale Euberta Overall Route Cartwrights Hill Oura WAGGA WAGGA Forest Hill For more information visit kangaroomarch.org.au THE WAGGA WAGGA DEPARTURE PLENTY TO SEE AND STOP-OVER: Kooringal Stud where marchers SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 10.30AM DO ON THE WAY... will stay overnight after the second day. SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Wagga Wagga The re-enactment march will depart from the Victory Memorial Gardens on the corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets after a 10.30am ceremony on the steps of the Historic Council Chambers. The walkers, with THEATRE: Junee’s Athenium where an accompanying Light Horse and retinue, will set off along entertaining night will be held. Baylis-Fitzmaurice Streets turning right to cross the Historic COUncil Wiradjuri Bridge before heading out of Wagga Wagga Chambers entrance AND on their epic journey. the British Army with the 1st Battalion East Lancashire VictorY Memorial GARDens Regiment in France during the Battle of Le Cateau in the North Wagga first weeks of the war and died on 27 August 1914 having ORDer OF ProceeDings: Marchers will enjoy lunch here. sustained a shrapnel wound the day before. Poem recital: The Man and the Kangaroo Brucedale MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER Mayor Councillor Rod Kendall welcome Camp the first night here. The initial daily “At the going Junee Prayer of Remembrance by Anglican Reverend down of the Sun” commemorative service will be held at Canon Harvey Sloane the Downside Hall after which marchers, if they are not The first of two nights camped at the Showground for too leg weary after day one, will attend a dance there. a special program of Junee events. Entertainment and Master of ceremonies: Brian Watts of the Wagga supper that night at the historic Athenium Theatre. Wagga RSL Sub-Branch SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER Song: Young and Free by the RSL Rural Brucedale Commemorative Youth Choir Plenty of activities planned during the day including Service at Brucedale Church conducted by Anglican Introduction: Federal Member for Riverina The children’s maypole dancing and games from the war Army Chaplain, Major Andrew Osborne, at 10am. Hon. Michael McCormack MHR era at Memorial Park from 10am. Evening meal and All welcome. entertainment at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Keynote speech: The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, Wallacetown Director, Australian War Memorial and Patron, WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Kangaroo Re-Enactment March Luncheon location. Marinna State Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire Harefield MLA After setting off from Junee, walkers will enjoy lunch here. Camp overnight at Penny and Stuart Lamont’s Illabo Address: Louisa Fitzgerald, great-granddaughter of thoroughbred stud “Kooringal” where the evening Kangaroo Edward Fitzgerald whose brother Charles commemoration will be held. Interestingly, Mrs Lamont’s Evening meal (“underground mutton” – rabbit stew) in was also an original marcher ancestor Lieutenant William Malcolm Chisholm, was the village hall for a night of interactive theatre. Audience to face eternal flame for wreath-laying the first Australian killed in World War I. A former ceremony Sydney Grammar School student, he moved to England THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER and studied to be an officer at Sandhurst. He fought in Song: Lest We Forget Bethungra Names of original 88 Kangaroos read Dinner at The Olde School T-House and Memorabilia then dancing to the music of the local old bush band.