This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Kangaroo March, where men from rural NSW marched to Sydney to enlist for war. Initially 88 men marched their way from Wagga Wagga on December 1, 1915 and collected a total of 222 men along the way as they made their journey through the Macarthur region and then onto Sydney.
Every year a 36 day, 520km re-enactment march from Wagga Wagga to Campbelltown helps communities along the route to pay tribute to the diggers and their families for their contributions and sacrifices. Its other mission is to encourage children and adults alike from these towns to learn about their local and national history and it also advises the recruitment opportunities and peacetime capability and delivery of the Australian Defence Force.
To show my support for the event I, along with many others, lined up to see the re-enactment volunteers as they came through my town. As they marched pass, I reflected on what these courageous men did for us. They were our sons, husbands, brothers, perhaps someone in your family. They enlisted to fight in a war that threatened to end yours and my Aussie way of life and for that I am grateful. May they always be remembered.
Lest we forget.
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