ONE of the largest Anzac Day march crowds in Wagga’s history is expected on Saturday to mark 100 years since Australia’s proud military history and national character were born on a bloody beach at Gallipoli in far off Turkey.
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More than 10,000 people are expected to witness the march along Baylis Street, and in doing so will brave cold weather and shrug off fears generated by a scuttled alleged plot to mount a terrorist attack on a Melbourne Anzac Day service.
“We estimated there were 10,000 people at last year’s march, and this year with the centenary of Anzac we are obviously expecting more,” said Brian Watts, treasurer of the Wagga sub-branch of the RSL.
Mr Watts had this advice for people worried about an expected top temperature of 16 degrees and some chance of rain: “Put on a rain coat and rug up, you can’t change the weather”.
And as for security fears: “Come out and pay your respects to the people who have served their country”.
Hundreds of marchers, including about 300 military personnel, will start marching along Baylis Street from Morgan Street at 10.30am and arrive at the Cenotaph in the Victory Memorial Gardens for an 11.15am commemorative service.
Each marcher will be given a poppy knitted by the Wagga Quilters Club.
At the head of the march will be a special Anzac Flame that will be passed along among representatives of military campaigns from World War I to Afghanistan.
The commandant of the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, Colonel Steve Jobson, will deliver the Anzac Day address.
Early risers will be able to attend a Dawn Service at the Cenotaph organised by Wagga Legacy.
Legacy president David Scoble urged people to arrive early for the 6am service because a large crowd is expected.
People attending the service will be given a sprig of rosemary prepared by Legacy widows.
“Rosemary grew wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula, “ Mr Scoble said.
At 9am there will be a church service in St Michael’s Cathedral featuring a catafalque party around the altar.