Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Almost 10,000 Australians will trek to Gallipoli in April to commemorate Anzac Day but residents at Dubbo will be able to mark the occasion by sleeping out in Victoria Park.
Dubbo City Council youth development officer Jason Yelverton said the response he had already received to the sleep out proved Anzac Day was a special event.
"I have not had one person say it's a bad idea. Every person I've spoken to has asked 'how can I be involved'?" It just shows how important Anzac Day is to everyone," he said.
The sleep out will start at 4pm on Friday, April 25, and will include World War I displays, live music and documentaries.
The event, which is being organised by the Dubbo City Youth Council in partnership with Dubbo City Council and the RSL Sub Branch, will culminate with the dawn service on Saturday in front on the cenotaph.
"It's going to be a roller coaster. We're going to remember some of the lighter side but it's hard to make war PG. We're going to honour and tell the stories of those who fought," Mr Yelverton said.
"There are no World War I diggers left and the World War II diggers are getting on. We need to pass the baton on to the younger people."
Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said he hoped to see Victoria Park Number One Oval full on the night and about 10,000 people gathered around the cenotaph for the Anzac service.
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said the sleep out would highlight the nation's involvement in the war.
He said the Anzacs were made up of people such as 22 year-old Kieran Shipp and guys even younger still.
"They left our shores and did remarkable feats in foreign lands, sacrificing their lives for freedom," Mr Grant said.
School students will also be encouraged to be involved in the sleep out by developing projects on local soldiers who fought at Gallipoli, which will be displayed on the night.
Dubbo City Youth Council's Natasha Wykes said it was important to get young people involved not only to carry on the tradition but to prove that young people want to take on leadership roles.
Mr Yelverton said people should stay tuned as there would be plenty more information made available as the event drew closer.