Anzac Centenary: Guide to WWI commemorative events in Albany

YOUR guide to what’s on in Albany this week for the 100th anniversary of World War I troops leaving WA for the battlefields of Europe.

Anzac Centenary: Your guide to what’s on

YOUR guide to what’s on in Albany this week for the 100th anniversary of World War I troops leaving WA for the battlefields of Europe.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY CEREMONIAL SUNSET CEREMONY

6.30pm-7pm Friday: Ceremony reflecting the worldwide naval tradition of saluting the lowering of the ensign at sunset each day in the harbour.

PRINCESS ROYAL HARBOUR LIGHTS

7pm Friday: An interpretative sound, lighting and pyrotechnic display on the harbour following sunset. Commemorating the souls on board the ships and the families they left behind.

TROOP MARCH

9am-10am Saturday: To mark 100 years since the first convoy departed for war, a troop march will be held along York St including Australian Defence Force personnel, New Zealand Defence Force personnel, the Australian Defence Force Band and veterans.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE

11am-noon Saturday: At Anzac Peace Park remembering those who lost their lives at war.

SYMBOLIC DEPARTURE OF NAVAL SHIPS

1pm-2pm Saturday: Naval ships will depart the harbour in a symbolic movement, representing the centenary of the first convoy’s departure.

COMMUNITY CONCERT

Open from 4.30pm, concert from 5.30pm Saturday: Featuring The Waifs, Dan Sultan, Katie Noonan, The West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Anzac soldiers march through Albany ahead of their departure in 1914. Source: City of Albany.

ANZAC PROJECTIONS & STORYTELLING

Thursday to next Sunday: Using modern projection technology, memorabilia preserved from World War I will be brought to life for Anzac Albany. Images, video and personal accounts will convey the personal stories and events of that time.

STIRLING TERRACE MESS HALL

Each evening until 10pm: The home of food and drink for the community and visitors. Restaurants will pop up along the terrace with outdoor tables and stalls selling

the best of Great Southern produce, with a view of the ceremonial activities in Princess Royal Harbour.

NAVAL SHIP OPEN DAY

9am-3pm next Sunday, November 2: Docking at the Albany Port, naval ships participating in the commemorations will open for members of the public to tour.

NATIONAL ANZAC CENTRE

1pm Saturday: Official opening (invitation only). General entry from November 3. General entry also available from Thursday-next Sunday but tickets must be booked in advance at www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is fully booked but late cancellations mean there is still the chance of securing a hotel room. Contact the Albany Visitor Centre on 9841 9290 or see www.amazingalbany.com.au. Campsites are available at a special centenary camp ground run by the RAC. See www. rac.com.au/anzacalbany. Rooms in private homes are still available on Air B&B. See www.airbnb.com.au.

GETTING THERE

Police are warning motorists to expect delays of up to three hours on the drive from Perth to Albany. Main Roads will place 10 bulletin boards down the highway warning of delays and diversions. In the skies, a light plane will monitor traffic. Driver Reviver coffee stops will be set up at Williams, Kojonup, Cranbrook and Mt Barker.

GETTING AROUND

Vehicle access to Albany CBD will be limited and there will be road closures. Free shuttle buses will service park and ride locations including North Albany Senior High School, Mt Lockyer Primary School, Weelara Park and Middleton Beach (Saturday only). Transperth is sending 48 buses from Perth to Albany to join 12 local buses to ferry passengers around.

The last sighting of Australian shores for thousands of Anzacs was Albany in 1914. Source: City of Albany.

SEEING THE ACTION

To cater for crowds, four live sites – Middle Beach, Mt Adelaide, Mt Clarence and Albany Town Square – will use big screens to televise events including the convoy’s symbolic departure on Saturday.

MORE INFORMATION

Phone the Anzac Albany info hotline on 1300 765 531. Visit www.anzacalbany.com.au. Anzac Albany ambassadors will be in the Albany Public Library and the Albany Visitor Centre from 10am to 2pm weekdays to assist the public.

ALBANY PLACES OF SIGNIFICANCE

- Princess Royal Fortress on Mt Adelaide, which houses the Albany Barracks and the Princess Royal Battery, the Military Heritage Centre and a collection of war memorabilia of the 11th Battalion and the 10th Light Horse regiments.

- Mt Clarence, the site of Albany’s Anzac Day dawn service.

- The Padre White Lookout, a steel walkway at the top of Mt Clarence dedicated to Padre White, the man credited with starting the dawn service tradition.

- Atatürk Memorial, a scenic boardwalk and statue honouring the enemy, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the President of Turkey 1923-1938.

- Anzac Peace Park, featuring the Pier of Remembrance, an interpretative walk and the Lone Pine Grove.

HOW IT HAPPENED

- Australian and New Zealand troops depart in convoy from King George Sound, Albany on October 31, 1914 following Germany’s invasion of Belgium and Britain’s subsequent declaration of war.

- Ships carrying WA and South Australian troops depart a day later and meet up with the convoy in waters off WA.

- The second convoy departs on December 31.

- Troops have several months training in Egypt and the Middle East before being sent to fight in Turkey and the Western Front.

- Australian and New Zealand troops land at dawn on the beaches of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 for the first major battles by Australia and New Zealand troops who would become known as Anzacs.

- The Gallipoli campaign continued for eight months until evacuation in December 1915.

- The war continued until the armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November 1918 when peace was declared.

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Originally published as Anzac Centenary: Guide to WWI commemorative events in Albany