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New memorial for commemoration

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

President Peter Lofdahl said the cenotaph resulted from a $35,000 federal grant and would be lit up every evening.

The memorial is at the Quinns Rocks Sports Club on Tapping Way, a few metres north of the first memorial that overlooks the bowling green.

"If we were going to have a memorial, what better year than this year?" said Mr Lofdahl.

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�We couldn't go either way to enlarge it because of the bowling green. We thought if we came up here, people would have got more room for laying wreaths.

"The plaque will cover every conflict Australia has been involved in."

Mr Lofdahl said the April 25 service would take place in front of the cenotaph and they expected about 3000 people to gather at 5.30am.

"People will be able to stand and move around in this area; we can have the local school children with their orchestra under the shaded place " that will protect them from the weather,� he said.

There would be seating for about 80 people.

"We are not having as many chairs. We found they were an obstacle last year, so we are mainly catering for the elderly and disabled," Mr Lofdahl said.

�That way we feel we can get more in. The service is not going to go so long that it's going to be a strain on people, particularly young people.

"We will have a screen down near the other bowling green so that people standing up here can see what's going on."

Merriwa author and retired serviceman Peter Winstanley will speak at the service and there will also be an RAAF flypast.

"We are going to release the six white doves," he said.

�Once the VIPs have finished laying wreaths, our MC Wally Harmer will invite members of the public to come forward and lay a floral tribute.

�We have an indigenous young student who is going to do a welcome.

"We also have a young New Zealander who's going to give a short address on the connection between Australia and New Zealand."

Both the Australian and New Zealand anthems will feature in the service. The Peter Moyes Anglican Community School orchestra will provide the music.

"We are looking forward to everyone attending. It's open to members of the public; they will be made to feel welcome because it's their day as well as ours," Mr Lofdahl said.

"It's an opportunity of recognising all the members of the Defence Force that have served or are still serving. It's keeping the Anzac Day tradition alive."

For more information, call 9305 1303.