Just like their ancestors 100 years ago, they came, they saw, they conquered.
Some of these army “recruits’’ walked almost 550 kilometres from Wagga Wagga as part of the re-enactment of the original Kangaroo March a century ago.
As the director of the Australian War Memorial Brendan Nelson said in his address the original marches by recruits were a big part of those heady nation building times in Australia.
Mr Nelson’s moving address was part of the valedictory commemoration of the Kangaroo March reenactment held in Mawson Park at 2pm today by the Campbelltown City Council.
Mayor Paul Hawker had earlier thanked the march committee for “bringing such an historic event to Campbelltown.’’
Cr Hawker said the completion of the re-enactment in the heart of Campbelltown was an opportunity for our community to “pay tribute to the men in regional NSW and Campbelltown who served their country.
“It is also about learning more about the history of the fight for freedom,’’ he said.
“Today’s commemorations are in recognition of the sacrifice made by our fellow citizens and the devastating impact World War I had on country communities, which lost so many of their young men and women.’’
The original marches – the longest one of which was from Wagga Wagga to Campbelltown – were devised as a way to attract more recruits along the way, as those who had already enlisted walked proudly in a group through country towns.
Back in 1915 and 1916 Campbelltown was considered the last country town before the enlisted marchers went on the last leg of their journey to Sydney.
Those taking part in today’s re-enactment were very happy their journey ended in Campbelltown and that they would not have to go to Sydney to present themselves to Victoria Barracks.
It was only a re-enactment, after all – unlike their forebears of 100 years ago who had enlisted to fight in the Great War for real.
The re-enactment recruits marched into Campbelltown just before 2pm this afternoon, and led by the Campbelltown Camden District Band they entered Mawson Park, where the official welcoming party and scores of local residents were assembled.
Both the New Zealand national anthem as well as Advance Australia Fair were performed by the district band and led by Angela Williamson, who later also gave a stirring rendition of the song She Who Gives Her Son.
Following the official welcome to the recruits by Mayor Paul Hawker, and the moving address by Dr Brendan Nelson – the former Liberal Party leader deposed by Malcolm Turnbull in 2009 – two local primary and high school students read war stories.
Eli Uluibau, a Ruse Public student, read the story of Walter John Hagan, and Performing Arts High student Gabbi Anderson told the story of George Own Munro.
Two descendants of the original recruits, Jack Beaver and Edward Fitzgerald, also told wonderful stories about the deeds of their ancestors 100 years ago.
Once the official part of the ceremony was completed the recruits assembled once more in front of the stage.
Led by the Ingleburn and Campbelltown Community Pipes and Drums band, they marched off Mawson Park to close the 100th anniversary re-enactment of the Kangaroo March.
Who knows, maybe in 100 years’ time it will be re-enacted once again and more stories will be told.
