Wellington to Stuart Town Friday 23rd October 2015
The marchers left Wellington Showground at 7 am.
They stopped at the Wellington Cemetery to place flowers on the grave of Mrs Emma J. Hitchen, Bill Hitchen’s wife. They also paid their respects at the grave of David O’Rourke, one of the 1915 Coo-ees from Wellington.
Marchers at Wellington Cemetery 23/10/2015
The Mumbil/Stuart Town CWA ladies provided lunch for the marchers at Mumbil Public School.
After lunch Brian Bywater gave a talk about the 1987 Coo-ee March Re-enactment and the Mumbil medal that had been presented to the marchers. Ross Stocking talked about his experience on the 1987 Re-enactment March as well.
Brian Bywater talking to Mumbil Public School students 23/10/2015
Helen Thompson gave a description of the events that occurred when the Coo-ees were in Mumbil on 19th October 1915, and named the six Coo-ees that were attested at Mumbil (who had undertaken their medical examinations at Wellington, where they had run out of application forms). Don Kenaugh and Eric McCutcheon read poems, and a group of the marchers sang Keep on until the end of the road, and the National Anthem. The students then sang a song about their school.
The marchers left Mumbil Public School at 3.30 pm, and arrived at Stuart Town at 5.15 pm.
Marchers arrive at Stuart Town 23/10/2015
A short service was held at the Stuart Town War Memorial, then the marchers were invited to the Boehmes Hall Museum for a late afternoon tea, which was situated right next to the Boehmes Hall where the Coo-ees stayed overnight in 1915. They were provided with a banquet of cakes, scones, sandwiches, punch, and tea and coffee.
Marchers outside Boehmes Hall Museum at Stuart Town 23/10/2015
The marchers then retired to the Stuart Town School of Arts Hall, where the Stuart Town Advancement Association and Stuart Town RTC/Hall provided a wholesome meal of mashed potatoes, pumpkin, peas, chicken, beef, and buns, followed by sweets, which was very much appreciated by the marchers.
Marchers thanking the ladies who servied them dinner at Stuart Town School of Arts Hall 23/10/2015
Coo-ee March 2015 Re-enactment 