Celebrations will be held in Tamworth and Newcastle on Saturday 5 July and in Taree, Dubbo and Sydney on Sunday 6 July 2003.

This year the National Parade in Sydney on Sunday 6 July will highlight the Centenary of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and the Royal Australian Nursing Corps, both of which were formed on 1 July 1903. Medical and Nursing Reservists from the USA, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada are travelling to Australia to take part in the celebrations.

Former and serving Reservists will assemble in College Street at 10:30 a.m. and then be reviewed by Her Excellency the Governor and the Chief of the Army. This parade of Reservists will then march past the saluting dais at the front of Parliament House and continue down Macquarie Street, with the Parade ending just past the Cahill Expressway.

The Newcastle Parade will form up in Wharf Road Newcastle from 10:30 a.m. and then proceed to Cape Shortland at Nobby's Beach.

The Reserve Forces Day celebrations 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 travelling to the Newcastle or Sydney parades who display or carry medals, wear their uniform or display their RSL badge or carry similar identification, will be entitled to free travel to and from the event on CityRail trains and State Transit buses or ferries, with the exception of State Transit special and 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 parades. Enquiries about the availability of free travel on private services should be directed to the local operator.

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

Issued (Branch): Strategic Policy & Reform
Contact: Gary McGrath
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 4381
Facsimile: 9228 3102
File no: PSM/02021
Date: 5 June 2003

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Superseded by C2004-15