When you think of camels you think of deserts, but just not ours.
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It’s the Sahara and the wild dry lands of Africa that spring to mind.
But in fact Australia has the largest herd of feral camels in the world.
The camels were imported to provide critical means of transportation across the outback before the coming of the car.
They had outlived their use by the 1920s and 1930s and were released into the wild.
And just like many other imported species once the reason for their importation expired they became pests.
They’re not quite as bad as cane toads and rabbits but with hundreds of thousands still roaming around the centre of Australia with no real predators they are causing considerable damage to native plant life despite efforts to cull them.
However, it wasn’t like this a century ago.
Camels have played a vital role since they first arrived in Australia in 1840 and they were part of the 1860 Burke and Wills expedition.
They also played a crucial role in Australia’s efforts in World War I.
The Imperial Camel Corps (ICC) was formed in January 1916 to fight pro-Turkish tribesmen in Egypt.
The ICC fought bravely at several key battles before being disbanded in June 1918.
Next week a camel will lead the Anzac Day procession in Orange.
Charley, one of Orange camel lady Nyasa Phillips’ collection at Spring Terrace, will represent the camel community.
Ms Phillips (pictured) will hold the reins atop the 22-year-old animal in full ICC uniform.
She said she was doing it for the camels.
“The camel corps played an important part alongside the light horse brigade and I am highly appreciative that I’m one of them for the day,” she said.
Camels are becoming a fixture at Orange’s biggest events.
Just over two weeks ago about 7500 people celebrated Easter watching camels lumber down the home straight at Towac Park at the annual Orange Camel Races.
Children even took to wooden camels for their own races.
It appears, one lump or two, camels are becoming big in Orange.
So, next Wednesday give Charley a nod of respect as he paces down Summer Street at the head of the march in honour of the thousands of his kind who have helped Australia for more than 170 years.