Celebrations will be held in Newcastle on Saturday 2 July and in Sydney on Sunday 3 July 2005. In addition, celebrations will be held in:

• Canberra on Saturday 25 June;
• Dubbo and Forster on Sunday 26 June;
• Tamworth Saturday 2 July; and
• Lismore Sunday 3 July.

The National Parade in Sydney on Sunday 3 July 2005 will honour three historic events, the 90th anniversary of the Coo-ee recruitment march of 1915 and the raising of the 2nd Division in the same year. The Parade will also acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the raising of the Commando Companies in 1955. Reservists from the USA, NZ and Canada will be in attendance at the Parade.

Former and serving Reservists will assemble in College Street (North) at 10:30 a.m. and then be reviewed by Her Excellency the Governor and the incoming Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Angus Huston. The 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 2 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 and Sydney Ferries' ferries, with the exception of 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, Lyn Scott, Media Officer, Reserve Forces Day on (02) 9908 1863.

C Gellatly
Director-General

Issued : Workforce Capability ( Public Employment Office)
Contact: Gary McGrath, Project Officer
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 4381 Facsimile: 9228 3577
File no: PSM/02021
Date: 10 June 2005

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superseded by C2006-16