Local residents will be able to watch the live telecast of the Dawn Service in Gallipoli next ANZAC Day as part of Bankstown City’s centenary commemorations, developed by Bankstown City Council and Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare.
Bankstown City Council’s ANZAC Centenary Working Party has announced a number of activities next year to celebrate 100 years of ANZAC.
The activities have been jointly funded by Bankstown City Council and Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare, through the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program. The projects include:
- A commemorative event at Bankstown Oval followed by a live telecast on the big screen of the Dawn Service in Gallipoli;
- The opening of the Memorial Walkway at nearby Bankstown City Gardens where up to eight art pieces will be installed;
- Restoration of the World War One Memorial Monument at the oval; and
- An exhibition of World War One memorabilia at Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre
“This is an important moment for Australia and it is important that Bankstown is part of it.
“Memorial Oval is the perfect place to commemorate this important event. After WWI ended Bankstown Council bought this land which was then called Fripp’s Paddock and they renamed it in honour of the young men from Bankstown who never came home.
“The electronic scoreboard will be used as a big screen TV and we will be able to watch as the sun rises on the other side of the world, at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli,” Mr Clare said.
Working Party chairperson and Bankstown Mayor, Linda Downey, said the commemoration planned for Bankstown will have something for everyone.
“Our city is home to so many families with connections to the Great War, so we want to ensure we recognise the sacrifices their family members made for our country’s freedom,” said Mayor Downey.
Mayor Downey said Bankstown’s commemorations will involve the whole community from local schools to the different ethnic groups and community leaders.
“Our servicemen and women have sacrificed so much for us and we want everyone to play a part in the events and be able to acknowledge their contribution.”
The ANZAC Working Party is made up of Councillors and representatives from the Bankstown RSL, Bankstown Sports Club, Chester Hill RSL, Panania Diggers, Padstow RSL Sub Branch, and local community groups.
