Dear family,
The following is an update on the status of the Batchelor/Cherry ANZAC Centenary Commemoration Committee as a result of a visit to Tasmania over the Australia Day weekend.
I managed to visit the following people and locations:
- Noeleen Lincoln CEO of RSLTAS;
- Will Hodgman Sate MP for Kingston;
- Scott Bacon State Member for Dennison Minister for Veteran Affairs;
- Grand Chancellor, Mecure Apartments and Fountainside Hotel. Also went to several restaurants and entertainment venues in Salamanca and Hobart CBD;
- Anglesea Barracks Hobart – Senior Australian Defence Force Officer (SADFO), Officer’s Mess and Contract Managers;
- Huon RSL - President Robert Dick;
- Percy Cherry Memorial Park;
- MAJGEN Greg Melick – President of the ANZAC Centenary Commemoration Committee (Government); and
- Allan Miles – Arthur - Operation Pilgrimage.
Based on research and given that in 2015 Gallipoli will be the National focus, with the commensurate dilution of VIP attendance, I have oriented our plan to 2014 and 2016/7. Briefly the plan is:
- Dawn Service 25 April 2014 at Huonville with support from RSLTAS and Huon RSL;
- 10 am 25 April 2014 ANZAC Day march Huonville;
- 12 noon 25 April 2014 Family commemoration at Cradoc; and
- 7 pm 26 April 2014 Dinner at Anglesea Barracks Hobart (TBC);
- 25 April 2015 Gallipoli (Details TBC);
- August 2016 Pozieres (Details TBC); and
- March 2017 Lagincourt (Details TBC).
Transport details will be looked at when numbers are confirmed.
Accommodation
Generally speaking the accommodation costs are expensive be the venues three, four or five star. There will be competition and we need to book early - No Later Than June this year. In order to maximise attendance and minimise costs I recommend a group booking in the Mecure Apartments Hobart.
Please confirm your interest with an email to acbcreunion@gmail.com advising estimated number of rooms required so that the Committee can negotiate a group rate with the hotel. Needless to say that we could require over 100 rooms so need to start talking to the hotel now.
Family Banquet
I looked at facilities in Hobart and it appears that Anglesea Barracks is the most viable and given the nature of the event the most appropriate venue. Depending on sophistication sought; dinner would cost between $60 and $80 per head and that price is comparable or better with say the Grand Chancellor. Anglesea Barracks would also attract VIP’s to the dinner. (Be advised that they I have received provisional approval and there will be a significant bureaucracy to circumvent before this is finalised.)
Miscellaneous
There will be a media focus primarily through the aegis of RSLTAS particularly as 16% of males volunteered for service from Tasmania in WW1. Tasmania gave inordinate support to WW1 and fought bravely as indicated by the number of awards for bravery and that will be highlighted by the various agencies.
As predicted there will be a ballot for attendance at Gallipoli in 2015 and the family should apply. We should also consider our participation at the Battle of Pozieres and Lagnicourt commemorations in France in 2016/7.
If you have any issues with our plans – any suggestions would be welcome - please don't hesitate to contact the Batchelor/Cherry ANZAC Centenary Commemoration Committee.
Thankyou to those who have responded to our contact details and expression of interest email. If you have not yet responded can you please do so as soon as possible (even if it is just to say that you are not interested and would like to be removed from the contact list)
