Instead of commemorating the centenary exclusively at the soldiers’ newly upgraded spiritual home, Goulburn will mark the occasion with a ceremony in Belmore Park aided by giant screens simulcasting the Dawn Service from Rocky Hill.

The change of plan comes in the wake of news not all soldiers past and present could fit in the tight confines of the iconic memorial which recently underwent $400,000 in works, largely to accommodate more people.

The RSL Sub-Branch, Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Police were going to limit the Rocky Hill Dawn Service attendance to 350 people (150 invited ex-service personnel, 100 invited civilian guests and 100 members of the public chosen by ballot).

But rather than exclude veterans from a service of such magnitude, the Sub-Branch has opted to host a concurrent ceremony in Belmore Park.

Sub-Branch president Gordon Wade announced the decision during last Friday’s Anzac Day Centennial Working Party meeting at the council chambers.

He said the organising party didn’t want to divide the community.

“It became an elitist thing,” he explained.

“We don’t want to be standing alone from the rest of the community.

“We’re not head and shoulders above the rest of the community, we’re part of it and the community is right behind us.”

Mr Wade gave a glowing endorsement of Goulburn Mulwaree Council, with Mayor Geoff Kettle and general manager Warwick Bennett rubberstamping the proposal at the Friday working party meeting.

Cr Kettle said the Sub-Branch’s decision was to be admired and that Anzac Day 2015 organisation would proceed with gusto.

With the focus of commemorations now in Belmore Park, he rejected any notion that the forecourt’s upgrade and subsequent opening by Premier Mike Baird in August was a waste of time and money.

“(The works) had to be done anyway,” Cr Kettle said.

“It was always on our capital works program.”

Ratepayers will contribute $50,000 towards next year’s service and other commemoration activities (which will include a lightshow from Rocky Hill).

The concurrent ceremonies will follow the usual script. The Last Post, ode and music from the Pipes and Drum Band will be played exclusively at Rocky Hill. 

Dignitaries will lay wreaths at both sites.

“What we’re asking is that the community be aware the Rocky Hill can only accommodate a small number of people,” Mr Wade added. 

“Things will take place in Belmore Park and we hope the community gets along.”

The Goulburn Group has thrown its support behind the plan, too, vowing to assist with the broadcast.

Additionally, the Group plans to stream the ceremony online, allowing those unable to attend to watch the service.

“It sounds like a fantastic idea and it’s something that we can assist with,” The Group’s technical director Alex Ferrara said.

“I’m in the process of investigating from an engineering point of view what would be involved.

“We’re enthusiastic to be a part of it. That’s the big problem, accommodating everyone in location is hard. But this sounds very, very doable.”

Council hopes to stream this month’s Carols in the Park as a test run for Anzac Day.

“An idea was that we could test out the streaming and the big screens and during the Carols in the Park event later this year,” Cr Kettle explained.

“Council has allocated $50,000 towards the Centenary of Anzac, so we believe we will have adequate funds to ensure all of these things can happen.”