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Lest we forget… Anzac Day events in Fremantle

BACK for its fourth year in a row is the City of Fremantle Anzac Day Parade on Friday, April 25.

Successfully reinstated in 2005 after a 40-year absence, the event is supported by the RSL of Australia (WA branch), Melville SES and Fremantle Police and attracts more than 1000 marchers and 3500 spectators each year, bringing together many ex-servicemen and women to remember their fallen comrades and relatives.

The traditional Fremantle Memorial Dawn Service, also coordinated by the City of Fremantle with assistance from Monument Hill Memorial Wardens, will start Anzac Day proceedings from 5.30am at Monument Hill.

Step off time for the parade is 10.15am, starting from Fremantle’s Esplanade Reserve, travelling through the main streets of Fremantle, along the cappuccino strip on South Terrace, where a salute will be taken before a short closing ceremony back at the Esplanade (see map at end of release for road closures).

Captain Steven Dalton will take the salute, accompanied by Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri and 89-year-old World War II veteran Max Shean. Musical support for the parade will come from the Shadow Highlands Pipe Band.

A new addition for 2008 is a free Anzac Day concert after the parade, between 11.30am and 1.30pm on the Esplanade, showcasing the best local country’n’western talent including Fremantle-based Noel McClumpha, Spearwood’s Allan Spowart, Terry and Jenny Bennetts from the northern suburbs and Ann Leuba from Perth.

And now in its fifth year is the Anzac Commemorative Exhibition in the Fremantle Town Hall, showcasing unique military items from public and private collections – the exhibition is open 8am to 3pm and entry is free.

The exhibition is supported by the Army Museum of WA, Military Historical Society, Ex-Australian Naval Cadets Association and Andrew Pittaway with art works by students from Rosalie Primary School and John Curtin College of the Arts.

It also features information on indigenous Australians who fought in World War II and a display on HMAS Stirling.

Free morning tea will also be provided by the City of Fremantle at the Cafe2U van, just outside the Fremantle Town Hall, from 10am to the first 300 people in attendance. Following that, 50 cents from every coffee sold will be donated to Legacy.

Public transport is free for all veterans on Anzac Day – go to www.transperth.wa.gov.au for more details. CAT buses will be running from 10am.

Special retail trading hours have been granted in Fremantle for Anzac Day with shops opening from midday to 6pm.

Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri said Anzac Day was a time to reflect on those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of generations that followed and it was important to pay tribute to them.

“I am pleased the Anzac Day march in Fremantle has now been reinstated as it gives particular visual recognition to our veterans, allowing the public to pay their respects as they walk by,” he said.

“This Anzac Day, whether you’re having a beer at the pub, cooking up a barbecue with friends or heading to the beach, take time to acknowledge the diggers who ensured the future of Australia and allowed our nation to remain a place of such freedom.”

* For more information, contact Corporate Events Team Leader Marie La Frenais on 9432 9830 or e-mail marielf@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

VOLUNTEERS FOR ANZAC DAY ARE ALSO REQUIRED - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

ANZAC DAY PARADE
FREMANTLE ROAD CLOSURES

The City of Fremantle advises the following road closures will be implemented in the Fremantle CBD for the Anzac Day march from 9am to midday, affecting the streets as shown on the map below:

• Market St (from Cantonment St to Collie St)
• High St (from Market St to Pakenham St)
• South Tce (from Market St to Essex St)
• Essex St (from South Tce to Marine Tce)
• Pakenham St (from High St to Collie St)
• Marine Tce (from Norfolk St to Collie St)
• Bannister St (from Pakenham St to Market St)
• Nairn St (from Pakenham St to Market St)
• Collie St (from Marine Tce to South Tce)
• Essex St (from Marine Tce to South Tce)
• Norfolk La (from Essex St to Norfolk St)
• Essex La (from Collie St to Essex St)