Most young girls don’t want a camel as a pet, but Nyassa Phillips doesn’t strike you as the sort of woman who ever tried to be like most girls.
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Most cities don’t let camels lead the Anzac Day march, but we don’t live in most cities.
Next Wednesday, the nation will pause to honour all those who defend Australia’s sovereignty in conflict and peacekeeping missions, both present and past.
In Orange, crowds will no doubt pause to watch Charley the camel lead the servicemen and women to the main service at the cenotaph.
By his side, Ms Phillips will walk in step, holding the reigns of her six foot-tall pet.
She admits she is just a little bit nervous.
“It’s a big deal,” she said.
“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.”
I’m one of those people that blubber when they watch the Anzac Day procession, let alone leading it.
- Nyassa Phillips
The Imperial Camel Corps fought against pro-Turkish Senussi tribesmen in Egypt's Western Desert and assisted in operations against the Turkish army in the Sinai desert during World War I.
In its formation, commanders seized the opportunity to offload difficult characters, this meant the men of the ICC developed a rather rough reputation.
Ms Phillips said it is appropriate that she’ll be wearing the uniform of the naughty bunch.
“I’m doing it for the camels,” she said.
“If we pull this off it’ll be something else.”
Charley is one of a herd of pet camels Ms Phillips keeps in her yard, which shares a fence with Spring Hill Public School.
“I went to a circus at the Orange showgrounds when I was young and I just fell in love with them,” she said.
“They’ve personality and a temperament like big dogs.”
The duo currently train at home, before the trial in Robertson Park on Sunday.
“He’s never been to town, but the school children have been an important part of his life,” she said.
Ms Phillips said she hoped her and Charley could keep themselves together during the parade.
“I’m one of those people that blubber when they watch the Anzac Day procession, let alone leading it.”