History will be repeated on Saturday 31 October when the Boomerang March travels from Parkes to Forbes by train.
A re-enactment of the World War I “Boomerangs” recruiting March will take place throughout towns across the state including Forbes in a celebration of the volunteer values which have been epitomised in the ANZAC Spirit.
The original marches from Parkes, Bogan Gate, Alectown, Condobolin and Peak Hill left Parkes on 19 January 1916, picking up recruits along the route through Forbes, Eugowra, Gooloogong, Canowindra, Billimari, Cowra, Woodstock, Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Carcoar, Blayney, Newbridge, Georges Plains and Perthville. A contingent of 202 men marched into Bathurst on 5 February 1916.
This re-enactment will commence and finish a few months earlier than the historically correct dates but the route will still pass through most of the communities visited on the original march. Participants will travel from Bathurst
to Sydney and join with participants of six other recruiting march re-enactments to attend the Remembrance Day service in Martin Place.
“The original marchers were the ultimate volunteers, signing up for military service and heading to a war that was no longer an unknown adventure,” says Cooee March 2015 organiser Helen Templeton. The Lachlan Valley Railway will run three return motor rail trips during the day from Forbes to Parkes providing a unique opportunity for families to travel to the Boomerang March commemorative events in both towns. Lachlan Valley Rail will also be running
two 80-minute heritage rail trips. The first will leave Parkes at 9:30am, returning at 10:50am. The second will depart from Forbes at 12:30pm and return at 1:40pm.
To book tickets on any of the trips visit www.lvr.com.au. Register your interest as a marcher at www.cooeemarch.org.au/boomerangs/.