Women will lead this year’s Anzac Day march for the first time in Launceston’s history.
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The move comes as part of the national ‘By The Left’ campaign, which aims to broaden the public perception of a veteran and put an end to service women being asked “whose medals are you wearing”.
It was the confronting question Launceston veteran Raylene Garwood was asked during an Anzac Day service.
The retired Squadron Leader spent 22 years in uniform, serving in the army and the air force.
She served in East Timor twice as well as Iraq and was involved in a number of combat and peacekeeping operations throughout her career.
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But that didn’t stop an older man poking her in the chest and questioning her medals.
“You hear stories about somebody coming up to a female and saying ‘you’ve got your boyfriend’s medals on the wrong side missy’ and it was almost an urban myth, then it happened to me,” she said.
“It was the most insulting, most shocking thing I could imagine on Anzac Day to be literally chest-poked by an older veteran.”
To be able to lead the march on Wednesday was “long overdue”, Ms Garwood said.
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“I don’t think it has anything to do with gender politics, particularly not in Launceston,” she said.
“The RSL is simply advocating for veterans of all shapes, sizes and genders letting them know ‘you have earned your medals’.
“It is an honour simply to march, but leading the march is a major recognition that your service, even though it was a very different war, it matters.
“The beauty of the inclusivity of this march is it doesn’t matter where or when you served, this is about honouring all those who served and just giving them a place this year. It’s recognising that Australia has a new generation of veterans.”
On Wednesday, those who have served and earned their medals will wear them on the left, over their heart.
Family members or those wearing medals on behalf of fallen soldiers must wear them on the right side of their chest.
Launceston’s main parade will start from Prince’s Square in Charles Street at 10.15am Wednesday.