Free chewing gum and cordial: the people of Binalong covered all bases when the original Kangaroo March made its way into Binalong nearly 100 years ago. The marchers were feted all along the Wagga Wagga to Campbelltown route, and Binalong entertained the troops-to-be with a concert including patriotic songs.
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The Kangaroo March, the longest of the World War I recruiting drives, covered some 520km. The marchers reached Binalong (from Galong) in time for lunch and were then given leave for two hours to bathe in the waterholes close to town. The men were then able to spend the night in the local hall rather than camping in the local reserve after a heavy thunderstorm.
To retain the march’s country character, no recruits were taken on after Campbelltown. Many of the Kangaroos were allotted to the 55th Battalion, which arrived in France in 1916.
The actual departure date from Wagga Wagga in 1915 was December 1; the equivalent day 100 years on will be September 5. As closely as possible, allowing for today’s vastly different vehicular traffic, the re-enactment march will follow the original route taken in 1915.
Just as in 1915, the marchers will arrive in Binalong in time for a ceremony at the War Memorial Garden in the village centre, then lunch. Participants will then have free time to explore the village before a barbecue dinner at the Mechanics Institute and a Variety Night chock-full of entertainment.
All community members are invited to join in the activities on Wednesday, September 16. Dress in period costume, march with the official march for a while, come and enjoy lunch, dinner and the Variety Night, chat to the marchers, or offer a country welcome to the folk who are keeping alive the memory of the diggers who joined up and the families they left behind.
Binalong Arts Group Inc is coordinating the hosting of the re-enactment march and is grateful to the Boorowa Community Bank for its support.
After the stop in Binalong 100 years ago, soldiers awoke in the Binalong Hall and travelled on to Bowning.
The march from Binalong to Bowning was full of interest, one reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald proclaimed; “Through the bush and past farmhouses the men made their way and marched solidly along a good track, doing one mile in thirteen minutes.”
As Bowning was slowly approached, dark clouds loomed ominously in the west and the drum of footsteps were met with the rumblings of thunder. The men picked up their pace and stretched out to beat the storm to town.
A mile and a half out they were met by a cavalcade of horsemen, who escorted them into the small town of Bowning. As they stepped into the towns parameters, in a torrential fashion, rain swept in from the west. The men never faltered, and kept steadily on to the school grounds, where they were to camp for the night.
Although the men present were cold and tired it was soon forgotten as the warmth of the towns folk enveloped them.
The owner of Bowning Store, Mr Thomas Glover, had organised the welcome in Bowning. 100-years on and new proprietor of the Bowning Store - now antique shop - Mr Cyril Cox has taken the reigns from his predecessor and is the 2015 chief organiser.
“This is both a significant and historical event,” Mr Cox told the Tribune.
“100-years from now people will be able to look back and be proud of how we remembered this significant piece of Australian history.
“We have asked many kids to participate as all kids should learn of the sacrifices that were made by our forebears 100 years ago.”
The centenary re-enactment of the 1915 Kangaroo March will be celebrated in Bowning on Thursday September 17.
At 1pm the Kangaroo March will arrive at the corner of Red Hill Road and Cossack Street to be joined by groups interested in marching. It will be met by school children, the Bookham and Berremangra Red Cross and Vietnam Veterans, along with a horse and sulky, and four horsemen; one of which will be Mr Cox.
The march will continue onto the Cenotaph up Bowning Road onto Leake Street to the Hotel, then into Short Street to the Hall.
At 2pm a commemorative service will be held at the Cenotaph, with short readings from the Kangaroo marchers. Nine-year-old Kalani will sing the Australian National Anthem and the Mauri National Anthem, followed by afternoon tea in the hall.
Organisers of the event in Bowning have asked family or friends who have relatives who were involved with the 1915 Kangaroo March to participate and welcome any memorabilia or photographs to be brought to the hall for the display during afternoon tea.
“Come along to Bowning to be a part of this great historical event,” Mr Cox urged, “You won’t be disappointed.”
After marching the nine miles to Yass, the Kangaroos were welcomed by a section of the Light Horse as well as some youngsters dressed in dungarees and styling themselves ‘the young Kangaroos’. The Mayor of Yass, Alderman Coen, conferred the freedom of Yass upon the marchers and then presented them with an Australian Day flag and a banner from the people of Yass. The Kangaroos then marched to the showground where they were served a hot dinner in the luncheon room.
On Friday September 18, 2015, the Marchers will enjoy the great hospitality for three nights and two days, to enjoy participating in the Turning Wave Festival. On Saturday September 19 the Yass Supa IGA will host a barbecue lunch. Organisers also ask that anyone with relatives who were involved with the 1915 Kangaroo March to participate and welcome any memorabilia or photographs to be brought along on the day to be photographed as a momento of the march.
For further information or to get involved in the events please contact Skye Regan on 6227 4527 for Binalong, Cyril Cox for Bowning on 0413 476 255 and Bec Quinn on 6226 3001 for Yass.
