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When it comes to Anzac Day ceremonies, Bathurst is the place to be.
That’s the sentiment of legendary British actor, comedian, historian and television host Sir Tony Robinson who was in Bathurst this week whilst filming Tony Robinson’s Tour of Duty, a 10-part series across regional Australia and New Zealand revealing astonishing WW1 stories and tales that lie behind many war memorials.
Filming in Machattie Park yesterday, Sir Tony told the crowd the city’s Anzac Day ceremony caught him by surprise.
“Forget the big memorials like Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne.
“There was so much dignity, but it was laid back.
“It was it real but matey.
“It glorified the people who died in the war, but didn’t glorify war itself.
“It was the real nature of Australia right here, ”he said.
While filming for his series, Tony Robinson’s Tour of Duty, Sir Tony said he was pleased with the crowds that had turned up to be part of the show, both in Bathurst and other cities they have filmed in.
“There have invariably been large crowds.
“You would have thought by now everything there is to know about World War One would be known, but that’s just not the case.
“An awful lot of World War One stories have stayed in families.
“And the stories I’ve heard are wonderful, ”he said.
Sir Tony said the idea behind his series was to get close to ordinary people and hear their tales which have been passed down through families, which is one of the reasons Bathurst was chosen to visit.
“I wanted it as widespread as possible, I wanted ordinary Australian country towns not places people have immediately heard of,” he said.
Tony Robinson’s Tour of Duty series runs for 10 parts and will air on Foxtel in January 2015.