South East Queensland to host March of the Dungarees 2015

The Queensland Government has announced a series of events across South East Queensland from 29 November 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March of the Dungarees as part of the Anzac Centenary program.

Stepping off in Warwick on 12 December 2015, cadets from 139 Army Cadet Unit aged between 12 and 20 will march 239 kilometres and arrive in Brisbane’s CBD on 19 December 2015.

Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier Stirling Hinchliffe said the March of the Dungarees 2015 honours the brave Queenslanders who volunteered to serve their country in the First World War.

“As the only recruiting march in Queensland during World War One, this was an important historical event,” Mr Hinchliffe said. 

“Accounts of extraordinary individual efforts to join up are legendary. I hope Queenslanders will be inspired by commemorative events such as this and get involved where they can.

“The Queensland Government is committed to bringing Anzac Centenary commemorations to regional Queensland and this unique event will touch more than 20 local communities,” he said.

In the lead-up to the 139 ACU Re-enactment March, other community events such as the Call to Arms in Laidley and a Demonstration of Support event in Warwick will also be held.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones said, “The Dungaree March is an important part of Australia’s history and the Laidley leg is a significant step in that journey”.

The March of the Dungarees 2015 will also be brought to life through personal stories and artefacts from descendants and community members, displayed on commemorative walls in Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora libraries.

Southern Downs Mayor Peter Blundell said, “The Commemorative Wall links past with present, through a collection of local photos, letters and stories”.

Marching through the streets of Brisbane, the cadets are expected to arrive at Anzac Square at 11am on 19 December, proudly displaying the names of those who did the same 100 years ago.

“The Australian Army Cadets are proud to be honouring all those who have served, past and present, with the 139 ACU re-enactment,” said Officer Commanding 139 ACU, CAPT (AAC) Glen van Emmerik.

Recruitment drives featured heavily in the First World War, including recruitment trains and 'snowball' recruiting marches such as the March of the Dungarees.

They relied on the support of local communities they passed through and were often greeted enthusiastically.

The March of the Dungarees 2015 commemorates the 1915 recruiting march in which 30 men walked from Warwick to Brisbane via Toowoomba, Laidley and Ipswich, picking up recruits as they went through each town and finishing with 125 recruits. 

It was named after the type of uniforms – casual trousers or overalls made of denim called ‘Dungarees’ – issued to those who enlisted in this way.

More information on this and other Queensland Government Anzac Centenary events and initiatives is available at http://anzac100.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

March of the Dungarees 2015 proposed event program

• 29 November 2015 – Call to arms community event in Laidley
• 29 November 2015 – Commemorative walls launched in Laidley
• 11 December 2015 – Demonstration of support community event in Warwick
• 12 December 2015 – 139 ACU re-enactment march commences in Warwick
• 19 December 2015 – 139 ACU re-enactment march concludes in Brisbane

Media contacts:

Assistant Minister’s office: Chris Condon (07) 3719 7061

Laidley Historical Society (Call to arms event): John Barwell 0428 502 262

Southern Downs Regional Council (Demonstration of support event and commemorative wall): Gwen Jones 1300 697 372