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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway

Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, right pillar with plaques
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, left pillar with plaques
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, roll of honour plaque
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, close-up right pillar plaques
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, close-up right pillar plaques
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, close-up right pillar plaques
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, close-up of the Ode Flame plaque
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, bushrock behind gateway
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Cooee March Memorial Park and Gateway, bushrock plaque
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Description / Background

The entrance to Cooee March Memorial Park in Gilgandra, NSW, is marked by a memorial gateway. It consists of two brick pillars, which support a timber arch that bears the name of the park. Positioned alongside the pillars are matching brick walls. 

Attached to the brickwork are various bronze plaques, inscribed with information about the 1915 Cooee March between Gilgandra and Sydney, and dedications to the men who joined it to enlist for service in the First World War. Three honour rolls are included among the plaques.  

Directly behind the gate is an upright bushrock, bearing a plaque recording the official opening of the park on 26 January 1987. 

Inscription

Arch

Cooee March Memorial Park

Left pillar, plaque 1

This gateway is to commemorate the 25 Coo-ee volunteers who marched from Gilgandra on Sunday 10th October 1915.

[Names]

Capt. Nicholas Officer Commanding

Left pillar, plaque 2

Supplementary List

[Names]

The Gilgandra Historical Society

Left wall, honour roll plaque

Coo-ee March Roll of Honour

Official figures of the 263 men recruited on the 1915 Gilgandra to Sydney Coo-ee March were: Gilgandra, 35; Dubbo, 13; Wongarbon, 12; Geurie, 6; Wellington, 31; Stuart Town, 1; Euchareena, 1; Molong, 4; Parkes, 5; Orange, 19; Millthorpe, 2; Blayney, 11; Bathurst, 17; Glanmire, 1; Yetholme, 1; Wallerawang, 3; Lithgow, 19; Blackheath, 2; Katoomba, 11; Leura, 1; Lawson, 10; Springwood, 5; Penrith, 4; Parramatta, 27; Ashfield, 22.

Of those who served overseas, the following 41 Coo-ees died during the First World War: 

[Names]

Coo-March 2015 Inc. (Gilgandra Sub-Committee)

Right pillar, plaque 1

Coo-ee March

On October 10th 1915, a recruiting march left Gilgandra calling at each town and village gathering volunteers.

They marched into Sydney on 12th November as 263 recruits for the Army.

It was the original and most successful of nine such marches.

Right pillar, plaque 2

Wellington district

31 enlistments

Presented by Wellington Sub Branch R.S.L.

Right pillar, plaque 3

Springwood district

5 enlistments

Right pillar, plaque 4

This gateway was erected by Gilgandra Sub Branch of R.S.L.

Right pillar, plaque 5

This plaque is erected by the Gilgandra Sub Branch of R.S.L. in appreciation of the following donors

[Names]

Plaque in proximity

"The Ode Flame" donated by the Brain family with deep respect 1990

Bushrock plaque

Cooee March Memorial Park

This park provided by Gilgandra Shire Council and developed by the service clubs and community organisations of Gilgandra was officially opened on 26th January 1987 by Councillor A. M. McGrant, Shire President, Gilgandra Shire Council.

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
W Alston World War 1 view
H Baxter World War 1 view
S Bennett World War 1 view
Jim Cameron World War 1 view
R Campbell World War 1 view
J Crawford World War 1 view
C Finn World War 1 view
L Greenleaf World War 1 view
J Hitchen World War 1 view
Bill Howard World War 1 view

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Sidebar
Address
Newell Highway
Gilgandra NSW 2827
Local Government Area
Gilgandra Shire
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Garden/park
Gate/lychgate
Stone/bushrock
Recorded by
Gilgandra Shire Council. Rusty Priest.
Dedication date
26 January 1987
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Brick
Bronze
Other stone
Timber