Coast gets set to remember

As the Central Coast prepares for Anzac Day services all around the region on Thursday, April 25, record numbers are expected in Gosford to mark the 100th anniversary of the cenotaph in Memorial Park.

Gosford RSL Sub-branch President Greg Mawson said the past few years had been spent upgrading the cenotaph, largely due to the “extraordinary work” done by local historian Merril Jackson.

Jackson has co-ordinated a massive poppy net to feature at the base of the cenotaph this year, which features images of WWI and WWII fallen soldiers.

“It’s quite a tribute,” she said.

“With this year being the centenary of the cenotaph, family representatives of some of the original fallen soldiers will be laying wreaths.

“Also, Girl Guides and another group will join the march along Mann St with A3-sized posters detailing every soldier on the WWI Honour Roll plaques.”

The special commemorative net comprises thousands of poppies made and sent from all over the Central Coast, Canberra, Marulan, Maitland and Newcastle over recent weeks.

There will also be a special Memorial Tree poppy display to commemorate Sister ‘Kit’ Sumner (nee Curtain).

Bushes on either side of the staircase leading up to the cenotaph are also festooned with poppies.

Marchers will assemble in Kibble Park at 10.30am for the march down Mann St to the 11am service at the cenotaph.

This will follow a 6am dawn service at the cenotaph.

Other Anzac Day services around the region will include:

Copacabana – dawn service on the waterfront at 5.30am; Davistown – dawn service at 6am at Davistown RSL Club; Doyalson – dawn service at 5.30am at the Doylo club and main service at 9am; and an 11am service at Empire Bay.

The flag will be lowered at Hardys Bay Club at 6am followed by the main ANZAC Day service at 11am then the raising of the flag to full mast at 3pm.

Ourimbah RSL Club will host a dawn service at 5.30am followed by a march leaving from Yates Rd at 1.30pm for a 2pm service at the club.

At Terrigal assemble at 5am outside the police station for a march to the cenotaph for 5.30am dawn service, and a morning service will be at Breakers at 11am.

The Entrance dawn service will get underway at the cenotaph at 5.30am and the march will leave Short St at 11.50am for the noon service at the cenotaph.

A dawn service will be at the cenotaph at The Ari Toukley starting at 5.20am followed by a march from Toukley Village Green departing at 9.45am and a morning service on arrival at the club.

There will be a dawn service at 5am at Woy Woy and a morning service at 10.30am.

A dawn service at 5.45am will be held at Club Wyong then a memorial service at 10am in Wyong Town Place followed by a march to Club Wyong.

Road closures will be in place at various locations to accommodate ANZAC Day services and marches.

For full details go to www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/anzacday

Terry Collins