MEMBERS of the Gilgandra Returned and Services League Sub-Branch look forward to implementing an important upgrade to the archway at the entrance of the Coo-ee March Memorial Park.

The 25 member strong sub-branch is a recent successful recipient of just over $4000 in federal government funding which will go towards refurbishing the archway and installing an eternal flame on top.

The archway in the memorial park commemorates the 35 Coo-ee volunteers who originally marched from Gilgandra on Sunday 10 October 1915.

A collection of plaques commemorating the Coo-ee March volunteers can also be found at the memorial park. Images courtesy of Gilgandra Returned and Services League Sub-Branch (Anthony Petch).

These volunteers called in at each town and village gathering volunteers, finally marching into Sydney on 12 December as 277 recruits for the Australian Army. It was the original and most successful of nine such marches.

The Coo-ee marchers are also commemorated with a bronze statue on the local main street which was first unveiled in 2015.

According to sub-branch Secretary Anne Hall, this is not the first time the organisation has applied for funding for the archway upgrade.

"The archway has been in need of upgrading for a long time - we had applied for the grant before but we hadn't been successful until now," Ms Hall said.

"We've also always wanted an eternal flame - a lot of other memorials have one and they are very important for returned and current servicemen (and women) to keep their memory going."

The club first found out they had been successful in receiving the funding through local member for Parkes Mark Coulton late last month.

Mr Coulton said the funding ensured local wartime history was preserved for the Gilgandra community.

"I am so proud of the history of service in the Parkes electorate, and it’s important that those who have served during wars, conflicts and peace operations are appropriately remembered,” Mr Coulton said.

“This is a wonderful way for us to commemorate and reflect on the sacrifice of those who have served from Gilgandra.”

Gilgandra sub-branch President Bruce Horwood said the archway was an important historical artifact for the Gilgandra community and he was thrilled the grant would allow them to preserve it.

"Without a doubt, it's important for the community - the brick pillars either side of it are ok, but the archway itself is very derelict and has just rotted away over time," Mr Horwood said.

"People pull into the park with their caravans, so keeping the archway intact is a good way to improve the look of the town for tourists.

"We also had an electric eternal flame there before, but it kept falling off because of the decay. An eternal flame is not good if it only comes on periodically."

According to Mr Horwood, the sub-branch - which is always on the lookout for new members - is now liaising with local contractors to organise the refurbishment of the archway as well as install a new solar-powered eternal flame to ensure it would continue burning in perpetuity.