This is a significant year in the history of the Citizen Military Forces/Army Reserve as it marks the 200th anniversary of the forming of the first part-time voluntary service and the 75th anniversary of the forming of the Citizens Air Force.

To mark the anniversaries, commemorative services will be held in Newcastle and Canberra on Saturday 1 July and in Sydney on Sunday 2 July 2000.

Past and present Reservists will assemble in Sydney's Hyde Park at 10:00 a.m. The march will commence at 10:45 a.m. going down Macquarie Street, with the Governor of New South Wales taking the salute on the steps of Parliament House. The march will end at the forecourt of the Opera House where a short service, attended by the Governor, will be held from 12:00 noon to 12:30p.m.

The Reserve Forces Day Commemorative Service will be a public event giving the community an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution and value of Reserve service to Australia. Past and present members of all three services of the CMF/Reserve Forces are encouraged to attend.

The Minister for Transport has advised that all Reservists who display or carry medals, wear their uniform or display their RSL badge or carry similar identification, will be entitled to free travel on CityRail trains, State Transit buses or ferries. However, this does not include travel on State transit special or premium services such as the Sydney Explorer. The Minister also advised that the Bus and Coach Association has agreed to organise free travel on private buses.

Eligible public service staff, rostered to work on the day the celebration is held in their locality and who wish to take part in the celebration, should apply for a change in the roster for the day. Alternatively, eligible staff may apply for accrued leave, such as recreation leave, flex time, etc. All applications for leave or a change in the roster are subject to departmental convenience. Agencies, however, are encouraged to release eligible staff, where possible.

Public sector agencies are encouraged to follow the public service arrangements, unless more generous provisions already apply under the industrial instrument applicable to eligible employees in their agency.

For further information about the commemorative services, please contact John Walmsley from the Organising Committee on (02) 9228 3557.

C. Gellatly
Director-General