The Gunnedah Shire continues to mark its contribution to the state-wide soil collection for the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project.

The Gunnedah Shire Council Anzac Working Group has selected 31 October, 2017 as the date for the soil collection across the Gunnedah Shire given its significance in Australian history, being the centenary of the Battle of Beersheeba. Many of the members of the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments that were part of the famous charge came from the North West area of NSW.

The Project is the multi-million dollar redevelopment of NSW’s pre-eminent memorial to the contribution of NSW and Australian veterans to the First World War in Hyde Park, Sydney. It will feature an artwork developed by artist Fiona Hall alongside Sydney architect Richard Johnson, displaying soil collected from approximately 1700 locations across NSW, to be completed next year.

“Within Gunnedah Shire, eight locations have been selected to be recognised with plaques and soil samples in the new Hall of Service at the Memorial – Gunnedah, Curlewis, Carroll, Kelvin, Emerald Hill, Mullaley and Tambar Springs,” Gunnedah Shire Council Anzac Working Group Chair Owen Hasler said.

“The Governor of NSW, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley launched the program in the Gunnedah Shire by undertaking the collection at the Gunnedah Cenotaph in September.

“The soil collection ritual allows Gunnedah and surrounding villages to remember their own and then bring together other communities from across NSW in the final artwork for a very moving tribute.

“Descendants of soldiers who participated in World War I from those locations have been asked to participate.”
The place names from which the soil is collected are taken from the database of Great War enlistees, summing up the geographical reach of the call to serve.

The Civic will host a screening of the movie, The Lighthorsemen on Tuesday, 31 October from 5.30pm to commemorate the Battle of Beersheeba and support the Gunnedah Soil Collection Project. Tickets are $10 and are available on the night at The Civic, with light refreshments provided.

Soil collection event schedule

• 9:30am: Curlewis War Memorial, Emerald Hill Hall
• 11:00am: Breeza War Memorial, Mullaley War Memorial
• 12:30pm: Carroll Public School, Tambar Springs Public School
• 2:00pm: Kelvin Hall

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.