THE University of New England (UNE), with the support of the New South Wales Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council and New England Rugby Union, will be commemorating the centenary of WWI with a “Town versus Gown” rugby match at Bellevue Rugby Oval on Sunday, April 19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Centenary ambassador and UNE student Jessica Lewis said a number of representative games would be played at the Bellevue precinct.
Beginning at 10am, a number of U20s and open provincial teams from New England, Central North and the Far North Coast will be playing, and there will also be some New England games, including Gwydir River and Robb College second and third grade teams.
The formalities will begin at 2.30pm, prior to the main game at 3pm.
Master of Ceremonies Josh Tombs, who lost his father in the 1996 Townsville Blackhawk accident, will welcome special guests including Madeline Fussell, mother of the late Lieutenant Michael Fussell, who was killed in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2008, and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall.
Entry to the game is a gold coin donation, Armidale Legacy will be running the barbecue, with Robb Rugby running the canteen and bar facilities.
“We will also be auctioning off the commemorative rugby jerseys at a silent auction during the main game, which have been kindly funded by the NSW Department of Veterans Affairs, and all proceeds from the day will be donated to Legacy and “Soldier On”, both great causes, so we are hoping the community will really get behind this event,” Lewis said.
Soldier On, founded in 2012, was inspired by the death of the late Lieutenant Michael Fussell. It is an independent body, funded by donations and works hard to ensure the physically and mentally wounded are able to overcome the obstacles caused by their injuries and enjoy happy, fulfilling lives and feel proud for the sacrifices they have made.
There will also be an Anzac Commemorative Ball on the Saturday night prior to matches, to be held at the Armidale Ex-Services Club. Tickets are on sale now at the club (67760800).
