In Pursuit of Beersheba - Update!

In Pursuit of Beersheba: 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba

Commemorative events

Barcaldine street parade and memorial service

Tuesday 19 September 2017, 8.30 am to 9.30 am

Location: Barcaldine War Memorial Clock Tower, Ash Street, Barcaldine

A mounted parade will be held, starting from the Barcaldine Showgrounds and finishing at the Barcaldine War Memorial Clock Tower with a memorial service to honour the contribution of the local Light Horsemen involved in the Battle of Beersheba.

Ilfracombe street parade

Tuesday 19 September 2017, 1 pm to 2 pm

Locations: Commencing at Racecourse Road through Leichhardt Street, Wellshot Street, Main Avenue and Button Street

A mounted parade will take place through the centre of town and will include a march pass at the Ilfracombe War Memorial.

Longreach memorial service and opening of Beersheba Place

Wednesday 20 September 2017, 6.30 am to 9 am

Memorial service location: Anzac Park, Landsborough Highway, Longreach

Opening location: Beersheba Place, Landsborough Highway, Longreach

A memorial service will be held in Anzac Park at 6.30 am, followed by a mounted parade to the opening of Beersheba Place at the western entry to the Longreach Botanic walkway at 8 am. This service will honour the courage and sacrifice made by the Light Horseman who fought in the Charge and Battle of Beersheba.

Longreach street parade

Wednesday 20 September 2017, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

Locations: Commencing at Currawong Street and returning to the showgrounds

Starting from Longreach showgrounds, a mounted parade will take place through the centre of town and finish at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame where there will be a ticketed midday show.

Winton Outback Festival, Sunset Extravaganza Dinner

Thursday 21 September 2017, 6.00 pm – re-enactment to occur at 6.05 pm.

Location: Bladensburg National Park

The sunset charity dinner will commence with a stirring re-enactment of the charge of Beersheba. The ‘In Pursuit of Beersheba’ riders will show how, on 31 October 1917, the Australian Light Horse lead one of the last great mounted cavalry charges of our nation’s history, successfully charging the Turkish defensive lines to capture the fortified town of Beersheba. There will be a live charity auction and the dinner features entertainment by 1RAR military band and renowned digeridoo player William Barton.

Winton Grand Parade Spectacular

Saturday 23 September 2017, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm

Location: Elderslie Street

The ‘In Pursuit of Beersheba’ riders will participate in the Grand Parade Spectacular, the culmination of the 2017 Outback Festival which stretches across four blocks through the main part of town. It attracts 50 floats, 100 vintage trucks, along with people on bikes, foot and horses. At the end of the parade the ‘In Pursuit of Beersheba’ riders will march past the Winton Memorial Cenotaph in Vindex Street on their way back to Windermere station.