Celebrations will be held in Newcastle on Saturday 3 July and in Sydney on Sunday 4 July 2004. Celebrations will also be held in:

• Canberra and Dubbo on Sunday 27 June;
• Tamworth Saturday 3 July;
• Lismore Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July; and
• Port Macquarie Sunday 4 July 2004.

2004 marks 90 years since the outbreak of World War 1. This year the National Parade in Sydney on 4 July will include 90 horses, one for each year since 1914. The Parade will include armoured and transport vehicles from brengun carriers to the latest armoured vehicles. Members from overseas Cavalry and Transport Units from the USA, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada are attending.

Former and serving Reservists will assemble in College Street (North) at 10:30 a.m. and then be reviewed by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC Retired, the Governor General. 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 on 3 July 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 and to thank employers and partners for their support. 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, Lucy Weir, Media Officer, Reserve Forces Day on (02) 4885 1251 or Mobile: 04311 05423.

C Gellatly
Director-General

Superseded by C2005-22