ORANGE and district residents are expected to turn out in unprecedented numbers today to mark the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day.
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Leading the march down Summer Street will be 11-year-old Australian bay stockhorse Matilda, led by Scott Stanford dressed in the uniform of the Australian Light Horse, as worn by his great uncle in World War I.
Matilda will be kitted out the way Australian horses were for the Great War, including a sword, hessian water bottle and a secure place for the traditional 303 rifle with the barrel pointed downwards.
A pair of boots will be turned backwards in the stirrups to symbolise the fallen soldiers who didn’t return from war.
Mr Stanford, who has served in Australia’s regular army, said his thoughts would be with his great uncle Roy, who was one of 26 men from Orange who died in the Gallipoli campaign, aged just 22.
“For me, being able to pay tribute on this 100th commemoration is a huge privilege and I thank the RSL of Orange for this opportunity,” he said.
Mr Stanford said it was hard to find the words to describe the honour of leading today’s march.
He thanked Wayne Gransden for lending Matilda and preparing her for today’s march, and also Mick Ward who assisted with transport.
“Matilda is an absolutely beautiful horse who is perfect for the task today,” Mr Stanford said.
Mr Stanford and Matilda will lead the march into Robertson Park where the service will be held at the newly-refurbished Cenotaph, which now has two permanent sentries - bronze statues of a soldier and a sailor.
Orange Anzac Day committee chairman Graeme Scott said he was pleased with the Cenotaph upgrade.
“It’s my prediction, weather permitting, we will have the biggest crowd ever at the Dawn Service. And I think after the 11am service there will be a lot of people who will stay back so they can have a really good look at the new statues of the soldier and the sailor,” he said.
The Dawn Service will begin at 5.30am at the Cenotaph, followed by a light breakfast in the CWA Hall . The main service will be held at 11am, while Retreat will be the final service, at 5.45pm.
Soldiers from the 1/19th Battalion based at Romani Barracks will provide the Catafalque party, with Kinross Wolaroi School students carrying out the flag ceremony.