NSW: Hundreds of communities prepare to commemorate Anzac spirit

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NSW: Hundreds of communities prepare to commemorate Anzac spirit

SYDNEY, April 24 AAP - The Last Post will reverberate throughout NSW tomorrow as hundredsof communities come together to mark Anzac Day.

Marches and services will be held in towns and cities across the state despite earlierfears some events would have to be cancelled because of rising public liability insurancepremiums.

Services honouring the memory of those who died during the infamous World War I campaignat Gallipoli will begin before dawn in most centres, followed by commemorative marches.

Anzac Day events in Sydney will start with a service at 4.15am (AEST) followed by aconsular wreath-laying ceremony, both at the cenotaph at Martin Place.

The Anzac Day march in the city will start at Martin Place at 9am and a commemorationservice will start at Hyde Park south at 12.30pm.

Among those attending the services will be Premier Bob Carr and a 102-year-old manwho is one of only four surviving World War I veterans in NSW.

About 100 veterans from Sydney's northern beaches would receive a police escort anda green light corridor into the city for tomorrow's services while other veterans havebeen granted free public transport.

"To be eligible for free travel and concessions on Anzac Day, participants need onlyto wear a uniform, display their medals or have an authority letter from their RSL branch,"

NSW Transport Minister Carl Scully said.

RSL state president Rusty Priest said although no Anzac Day events had been cancelledbecause of public liability insurance problems, a suggestion to open marches up to thepublic could change that.

The suggestion by national RSL president Major-General Peter Phillips that membersof the public be allowed to march in Anzac Day parades, regardless of whether they wererelated to a deceased veteran, would blow out insurance premiums further, Mr Priest said.

"We have a grant that funds insurance for public risk liability for veterans and theirdependents but if you have to put in an unknown factor of children and adults ... I hesitateto think of the ramifications," he said.

AAP hn/arb/pw

KEYWORD: ANZAC NSW