NSW: Revellers mix with veterans in Anzac Day commemorations

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2001
NSW: Revellers mix with veterans in Anzac Day commemorations

SYDNEY, April 25 AAP - Anzac Day began early in Sydney today with one of the largest
crowds in more than a decade turning out for the traditional start to the day.

About 10,000 people, young and old, many wiping sleep from their eyes, were out in
force at Sydney's Martin Place for the 4.30am (AEST) dawn service, to commemorate those
who served and lost their lives in war.

NSW Premier Bob Carr, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, described the crowd as one
of the biggest he had ever seen at a dawn service in Sydney.

"In the 13 years I have been coming here as the leader of my party, this is the biggest
crowd I have seen," he said.

"It shows that Australia's people are interested in their history and exploring the
experiences of previous generations.

"It demonstrates we are keeping faith with those who gave their lives."

Tens of thousands later lined the streets of Sydney's CBD for the Anzac Day march which
this year involved more than 24,000 veterans and their descendants.

World War II veteran Pat O'Toole, 78, was one of the many who marched in the parade
where he was joined by two generations of his family - sons John and Frank and grandsons
Ben, 11, and nine-year-old Matt.

"To keep the spirit of Anzac moving we need our children and grandchildren involved,"

Mr O'Toole said.

Army cadets handed out sprigs of rosemary and Australia Post workers distributed Australian
flags to the waiting crowd before NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir led the parade
along George Street.

Prof Bashir made history this year by becoming the state's first female governor and
the first governor of a non-military background to lead the march.

A fleet of taxis carrying disabled veterans followed closely behind the governor and
police escort, and were greeted by a rousing cheer from well-wishers along the route.

Past and present servicemen from all arms of the defence forces including Kokoda Track
and Korean veterans, RAAF personnel, Australian National Servicemen and a large contingent
from the Australian Women's Army Service, were represented in the parade.

The NSW RSL said the number of today's marchers exceeded previous highs of around 22,000.

An RSL spokesman said about 6,000 attended the memorial service at Hyde Park, which
was also higher than previous years.

"It's a record turnout and a reflection of the number of veterans' descendants marching
and recognising the importance of the national day of remembrance," he said.

Impromptu parties with cheering drinkers were held across the parade's route which
wound its way from Martin Place to the Hyde Park War Memorial.

But the excitement was too much for a 65-year-old man who collapsed after suffering
a heart attack while watching the parade.

He remains in a critical condition at St Vincents hospital.

Across the state, RSL clubs were packed to the brim with veterans and beer drinkers
exchanging money and tossing coins in games of two-up.

The game, favoured by Anzacs in the trenches of World War I, is only legal in NSW on Anzac Day.

"The place is just crawling with bodies," said a spokeswoman at the Tamworth RSL Club,
in the state's north-west.

It was the same story at the Wollongong Ex-Servicemen's Club and the Newcastle RSL
Club, which was packed to capacity for a traditional Anzac lunch and two-up.

Regional centres across the state also had large turnouts at dawn services and marches.

AAP nf/rp/mg/bwl f

KEYWORD: ANZAC NSW NIGHTLEAD

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