After several years of commemorating the big milestones of World War I, Orange's Anzac Day services will go back to their roots on Thursday.
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The city's Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services in the past few years have had ties to the nationwide 'Centenary of Anzac' celebrations, marking 100 years since some of Australia's most memorable involvements in the battles of 'The Great War'.
Thursday's commemorations will divert back to their traditional nature, with Returned Services League Orange branch vice-president Chris Colvin said the RSL "haven't done anything special this year".
"This year and next year we'll concentrate on a normal ceremony," he said.
Whenever we go to the schools and ask for help, the answer is always 'yes'. They're great.
- Returned Services League Orange branch vice-president Chris Colvin
Mr Colvin said schools would again be involved in both the dawn service and the main service, with Orange High School and Orange Anglican Grammar School being involved in the post-march ceremony at Robertson Park, and the OAGS cadets program also playing a key role.
Having students involved in ceremonies and marches was something Mr Colvin loved seeing, and was something the RSL found incredibly useful.
"Every year we have schools involved and we've got a dwindling number of people who can help as we're getting a bit old. Most of our members are veterans and ex-service members," he said.
"Whenever we go to the schools and ask for help, the answer is always 'yes'. They're great."
He said he was always impressed by the attitudes of schools and students.
"A lot of them have come back early from holidays to practice marching and take part in events," he said.
With the weather due to warm up on Thursday, Mr Colvin also asked attendees to ensure they had drunk enough water before coming along after 14 people fainted or struggled with dehydration during last year's events.
Thursday is expected to have a top of 25 degrees, with sunshine predicted.
ANZAC DAY, 2019
The schedule of events in Orange on Thursday:
- 5:20am: March to Cenotaph (assemble in front of the Memorial Hall in Anson Street).
- 5:30am: Dawn service in Robertson Park, then return to Orange Ex-Services' Club for breakfast.
- 8:15am: Pilgrimage to Lone Pine Memorial followed by services at the Crematorium and Cemetery.
- 10am: Fall in for march to the Cenotaph (assemble in front of the Memorial Hall in Anson Street).
- 11am: Main service at Robertson Park Cenotaph.
- 17:45pm: Retreat service at Robertson Park Cenotaph.
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