Stirling Terrace recreates celebration of Armistice
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2 November 2018
Stirling Terrace will take a step back in time on Remembrance Day when a community celebration recreates the atmosphere on the street following the declaration of Armistice 100 years ago.
In scenes reminiscent of the historic images of Victorian soldiers marching along the Terrace in 1914 before embarking for the Great War, members of the 11/28th battalion will march in uniform up Stirling Terrace in symbolism of ‘welcoming home of the troops’.
A crowd in period costume will gather on the street to cheer and wave to the troops as they march towards their barracks on Brunswick Road. A Town Crier will welcome the troops into the street and will read the Declaration of Armistice published in the Albany Advertiser on November 13, 1918.
The event will include long table-style street dining with local cafes and restaurants, live performances, a display of period vintage and military vehicles, stalls, children’s activities, a photo booth and more.
Executive Director Community Services Susan Kay said the City’s events team had researched the celebrations of yesteryear and were recreating some of the look and feel of those festivities a century ago.
“The Anzac Centenary has been a moving and nationally significant commemoration over the past four years and Albany has been proud to be at the forefront of those commemorations,” Mrs Kay said.
“But this is a particularly special moment in history when the whole community came together in celebration at the end of the war, and we want to recreate that joyous occasion for the community to close the centenary period.
“It will be very nostalgic in many ways and a chance to not only reflect on the past and pay our respects, but look to the future with hope for continued peace and prosperity.”
There will be a special celebratory moment during the event to mark the end of the war. The Armistice Day Community Celebration will run from 12 noon to 6pm on November 11.
It will be followed by the free ticketed choral event ‘By Other Eyes’ at Field of Light: Avenue of Honour with performances at 7pm and 9pm. A ticket to one of these performances will be needed to access the Field of Light on November 11 as it is an exclusive event. Tickets can be booked online at www.anzacalbany.com.au/by-other-eyes.
Anzac Albany 2018 events have been possible with the support of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, Tourism WA, Lotterywest, FORM and the City of Albany.