Centenary of Coo-ees Recruiting Marches (1915-16)

Centenary of Coo-ees Recruiting Marches (1915 - 1916)

In 1915, recruiting committees were formed in Australia.
Marches only recruited a total of about 1500 men but attracted wide publicity and encouraged fund-raising and enlistment more generally.

The New South Wales Marches were:

Coo-ees March Route: Gilgandra, Balladoran, Eumungerie, Mogriguy, Dubbo Wongarbon, Geurie, Wellington, Dripstone, Mumbil, Stuart Town, Euchareena, Boomey, Molong, Orange, Millthorpe, Blayney, Bathampton, Bathurst, Yetholme Wallerawang, Lithgow, Little Hartley, Mt Victoria, Katoomba, Lawson, Springwood, Penrith, Parramatta, Ashfield, Sydney

Central West Boomerang March Route: from Parkes the Boomerangs took the train to Daroobalgie then marched to Donaghey’s Hill, Forbes, Yamma Station, Eugowra, Gooloogong, Canowindra, Billimari, Cowra, Woodstock, Lyndhurst, Carcoar, Blayney, Newbridge (to Georges Plains by train), Perthville, Bathurst.

Kangaroos March Route:Wagga Wagga, Junee, Illabo, Bethungra, Cootamundra, Wallendbean, Galong, Goondah, Binalong, Bowning, Yass, Goulburn, Wingello, Bundanoon, Sutton Forest, Moss Vale, Mittagong, Picton, Camden, Campbelltown, Petersham, ending at The Domain, Sydney.

Kookaburra March Route: Tooraweenah, Yarragrin, Mendooran, Boomley, Cobbora, Dunedoo, Birrewa, Tallewang, Gulgong, Mudgee, Havilah, Lue, Rylstone, Kandos, Clandulla, Ilford, Running Stream, Capertee, Ben Bullen, Cullen Bullen, Portland, Meadow Flat, Yetholme, Bathurst

Kurrajong March Route: (travelling by train) Inverell, Warialda, Moree, Narrabri.

Men from Snowy Rivers March Route: Delegate, Craigie, Mila, Bombala, Bibbenluke, Holt’s Flat, Nimitybelle (Nimmitabel), Summer Hill, Rock’s Flat, Cooma, Bunyan, Umeralla, Billylingera, Bredbo, Colinton, Michelago, Williamsdale, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Deep Creek, Tarago, Inveralochy, Tiranna, Goulburn

North Coast Boomerangs March Route: Grafton, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads, Macksville, Kempsey, Telegraph Point, Port Macquarie, Taree, Bulahdelah, Raymond Terrace, Maitland

Wallabies March Route: Walgett, Burren Junction, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Merehula, Turrawan, Baan Baa, Boggabri, Dubledah, Gunnedah, Curlewis, Breeza, Werris Creek, Quirindi, Willow Tree, Murrurundi, Wingen, Scone, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Liddell, Ravensworth, Camberwell, Glennies Creek, Singleton, Branxton, Cessnock, Abermain, Weston, Kurri Kurri, East Greta, Maitland, Morpeth, Minmi, West Wallsend, Wallsend, Lambton, Waratah, arriving at Newcastle on 8 January 1916

Warathas March Route: Nowra, Bomaderry, Meroo, Berry, Gerringong, Kiama, Jamberoo, Albion Park, Dapto, Unanderra, Pt Kembla, Wollongong, Balgownie, Corrimal, Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul, Coledale, Scarborough, Stanwell Park, Helensburgh, Heathcote, Sutherland, Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale, The Domain, Sydney.

The Queensland March was named:

Dungarees March Route: Warwick, Toowoomba, Laidley, Ipswich, Brisbane.