Scouts man Fort on Anzac Day

A troop of scouts will watch the rousing Nobbys Dawn Service from a camp at Fort Scratchley and tour visiting frigate HMAS Newcastle as part of this year's expanded Anzac Day commemorations.
 
Around 100 scouts from the Hunter and Manning Valleys will camp out for three nights as part of an educational initiative to reflect on the sacrifices of servicemen and women and continue proud Anzac traditions of mateship and respect.
 
The children, aged 11-14, will sleep in swags either out in the open or beneath the fort's verandas during the educational camp sponsored by Newcastle City Council, Aussie Disposals and Coates Hire.

^{The Scouts will have a bird's eye view of the Anzac Dawn Service from their camp at Fort Scratchley.}
 
"I'm proud to say we have two new fixtures on the itinerary this year as part of the city's growing Anzac Day commemorations," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
 
"The scouts will have a bird's eye view of the city's amazing Dawn Service from Fort Scratchley and HMAS Newcastle will Exercise its Right to Freedom of Entry to the City with a march to confirm the bond between the ship and the citizens of Newcastle."
 
RSL President Ken Fayle said the scout camp would combine the old with the new to give the children an unforgettable experience and familiarise them with the work of the armed forces.
 
"It's an introduction to times past by staying at the fort but also a chance to see modern technology at work on HMAS Newcastle and at the RAAF base," Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch President Ken Fayle said.
 
"We hope to make Camp Fort Scratchley an annual event and this is a toe in the water exercise to make sure we can do it."
 
As well as attending the Newcastle Memorial Walk Sunset Ceremony and Eternal Flame service at Camp Shortland, the children will also tour HMAS Newcastle, the Royal Australian Navy frigate whose crew will Exercise the Right to Freedom of Entry to the City."
 
HMAS Newcastle Commanding Officer Mark Sirois said his crew was looking forward to giving the Scouts a tour of the ship and marching from the mall to Civic Park to mark the ship's honour.

^{HMAS Newcastle Commanding Officer Mark Sirois.}

"Newcastle is our home port and our namesake city and the Freedom of Entry is an old tradition that creates an even greater bond and will make it even more special when we come alongside," CO Sirois said. 

"It's a fitting honour before HMAS Newcastle is decommissioned in 2019." 

Program of Events 

Saturday 22 April 2017 

• 10am Scouts set up camp at Fort Scratchley
• HMAS Newcastle arrives in port around 4pm before departing Wednesday 26 April. 
• 5pm - Newcastle Memorial Walk Sunset Ceremony

 Sunday 23 April 2017 

• 4pm - Lighting of the Anzac ETERNAL Flame, Camp Shortland
• 6pm - Anzac Service at Christ Church Cathedral 
• All day - Anzac Field of Remembrance, Newcastle Museum

 Monday 24 April 2017 

• 10am - Exercise Freedom of Entry HMAS Newcastle
• 5pm - War Memorial Grove Candlelight Vigil, Civic Park

 Tuesday 25 April 2017 

• 5am - Anzac Day Dawn Service, Nobbys Beach
• 9.15am - Anzac Day March, Hunter Street to Civic Park
• 10am - United Commemoration Service, Civic Park
• 12 noon to 4pm - Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day

 Ongoing 

• 10am to 5pm - Shadows of Sacrifice, Newcastle Museum
• 29 March to 4 April - Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience exhibition

For more detail on the city commemorations as well as local services visit Newcastle City Council's website