A commemorative train trip will this morning recreate the journey taken 100 years ago by Western Australian troops from their training camp to Fremantle Port as part of a weekend of commemorations for the Anzac Centenary.
On October 31, 1914 the troops travelled by train from their training camp at Blackboy Hill, near Mundaring, before leaving Fremantle on two ships to join the rest of the convoy that departed from Albany on November 1 bound for active service in World War I.
Premier Colin Barnett said the State Government had funded events to mark the troops' departure, including a community event at Greenmount Primary School (site of the Blackboy Hill training ground) and overnight cadet bivouac held last night, a departure service at Blackboy Hill, the train journey and a service in Fremantle.
"One hundred years ago, more than 41,000 men and women from Australia and New Zealand set sail from Albany and Fremantle for the battlefields of World War I," Mr Barnett said.
"Unfortunately for the Western Australian troops who departed in the first ships from Fremantle, it was a bit of a false start; after farewelling the crowds who had gathered to send them off, they were forced to anchor in Gage Roads for two days while they waited for the contingent from Albany.
"Ultimately, the Great War affected an entire generation of Australians; a staggering 38 per cent of the male population aged between 18 and 44 enlisted. The extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of those young troops still resonates today and those characteristics have helped shape our nation."
The Fremantle commemorations will be followed by a special program of events in Albany.
"The Centenary programs have been a major undertaking and I congratulate all the agencies and volunteers who have worked together to bring this weekend's events to fruition," he said.
The Premier will travel to Albany for the Centenary commemorations this afternoon.
Fact File
The heritage train will travel across the Transperth network from Midland to Fremantle between about 10am and 11am before returning to Pinjarra. Australian Defence Force cadets will travel on the train, along with the WA Military Cadet Drum Band and the 11th Battalion Living History Unit representatives
Further information about the Fremantle events at http://www.anzacfremantle.com.au
The State Government has also committed more than $9m towards Anzac Centenary infrastructure initiatives in Albany, including the National Anzac Centre, upgrades to the Padre White lookout and the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mt Clarence
Lotterywest's Anzac Centenary grants program to support activities across the State over the four-year centenary, with $4.3m already allocated to various community projects
Premier's office - 6552 5000
