Reserve Forces Day - Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July 2002

This year the Citizen Military Forces/Army Reserve is celebrating 100 years since the formation of the Royal Australian Engineers and Royal Australian Ordinance Corps. The Engineers have a long history of involvement with New South Wales in its early development.

This year commemorative services will be held in Newcastle on Saturday 6 July and in Sydney on Sunday 7 July 2002.

Past and present Reservists will assemble in Sydneys Hyde Park North at 10:00 a.m. and then march down Macquarie Street to an area at the rear of Government House. Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales will review the parade in College Street prior to the march and then take the Salute from the steps of Parliament House.

The Newcastle parade will form up in Wharf Road Newcastle from 9:15 a.m. and then proceed to Cape Shortland at Nobbys Beach.

The Reserve Forces Day Commemorative Services will be public events 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 and State Transit buses or ferries. However, this does not include travel on State Transit special or premium services. The Minister also advised that he has requested the Bus and Coach Association to encourage its members to provide free travel for those participating in the parade.

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