Newcastle Council has decided to now charge all military associations for the privilege of marching. The hire of chairs, flagpoles and wet weather premises now needs to be paid for by the associations.

Out of all the services that Newcastle Council pays for this should be one of them. Imagine our Soldiers having to hold a cake stall so they we can pay our respect, just ludicrous!

The Council also failed to have anyone turn upto the National Services Ceremony at Civic Parkon Sunday 16th March 2014, not one dignitary!

We raised the money ourselves for the National ServiceMemorial on the 16th March.

To pay for all the military ceremonies over the year in Newcastle it would cost the council $20,000 yet they refuse, The Lord Mayor stating that they are in dire financial circumstances. In the next breath they are looking at a $5million memorial walk. Their priorities are not right.

The Lord Mayor is not budging on this issue, raised with no response in council several times.

We will be meeting with Newcastle Council with these signatures to voice our opinion. The more signatures the louder our voice.