By JESSE GRAHAM
EMERALD RSL is gearing up for a monumental opening in early March, as the Anzac Walk reaches its final construction phase and a very important guest is announced to open the project.
On 16 January, Emerald RSL President Peter Maloney announced that Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove would be coming down to open the long-awaited Anzac Walk on 11 March.
Mr Maloney said the final phase of construction was underway on the Walk, which will feature information stands detailing the lives of 32 soldiers from Emerald and its surrounds who died during World War I.
Chairman of the organising committee Tony Shovelton said the Anzac Walk opening would be a gigantic celebration, starting the day with a recreation of the return of soldiers in 1920.
Mr Shovelton said that soldiers would come into Emerald Station on Puffing Billy with Sir Peter, to be greeted by hordes of people in 1920s dress and the HMAS Cerberus naval band, before making their way down to Anzac Place for the ceremony.
He said that local school children would be taking part in the event and he encouraged anyone interested to get in contact with the RSL and to dress in their best 1920s gear for the occasion.
“We want to encourage the community to become involved,” Mr Shovelton said.
“We would like them to attend on the day … and if at all possible, to register their interest in dressing in period costume.”
He said that those dressed in period clothes would be allowed into the restricted areas of the event and have the chance to take part in a memorable and historic event.
When finished, the walk will connect the existing cenotaph at the intersection of Main Road and Kilvington Drive to Anzac Place, adjacent to the RSL Club, with a new footpath along Memorial Avenue.
Anzac Place will be the centrepiece for the Anzac Day Dawn Service, and will feature a Memorial Stone, a Lone Pine Tree grown from the seeds of the original Lone Pine at Gallipoli and a hand-carved wooden statue of the Unknown Soldier, made by Cockatoo artist, Veronica (Ronnie) Sexton.
The walk, which has been funded by over $100,000 in grants, has been planned for the last two years and is part of the celebrations for the centenary of World War I.
For more information about dressing in period costume for the event, email terry.geddes@hotmail.com.
