“The Wagga and (other) communities of the Kangaroo March and the small communities far from our capital cities throughout the country made a disproportionate contribution to it,” Dr Nelson said in his keynote address at a ceremony to farewell a re-enactment march now on its way to Campbelltown.

“What we remember is the story of men and women who gave us a sense of who we are and our place in the world.”

Many children contributed to the ceremony by reading poems, singing in the choir and marching.

Among them was Jaqueline Vanzella, 11, who in her address asked the question: why re-enact the march? “To me, it is not to glorify war, but to really remember our past, so that it can help us shape our future,” Jacqueline said.

Louisa Fitzgerald, the great granddaughter of original Kangaroo Edward Fitzgerald, said in her speech the re-enactment should not be just to pay respects to those who made sacrifices, but also to recognise the Australian spirit forged by those young men.

“We can honour their sacrifices by living their legacy of mateship, courage and good humour in the face of adversity when this occurs in our lives,” Louisa said.

The service included wreath laying and sounding of The Last Post before the re-enactment march left for North Wagga along Fitzmaurice Street, retracing the steps of the 88 Kangaroos of December 1, 1915.

Among the marchers were 13 descendants of Wagga man Bill Carpenter, including his sons Alan and Geoff and great grandson Mitchell Boughton, aged just one.

Alan Carpenter said he felt emotional, especially during the ceremony and walking in his dad’s footsteps along Fitzmaurice Street. Mr Carpenter described his father as a hard, tough man, who was shaped by his war experiences.

“As a kid I asked him what was it like, and he said he just held a gun around the corner and pulled the trigger,” Mr Carpenter said.