Adelaide Hills Anzac Day events guide for 2021

From Dawn Services, Anzac Day footy matches and cellar doors supporting Legacy, here’s how to pay your respect to our veterans in true Hills fashion.

After COVID-19 forced a nationwide shutdown of Anzac Day last year, Hills communities are preparing for the return of the dawn service and other commemorative events.

Anzac Day commemorations have been observed by Australian troops, regardless of where they are in the world, since 1916.

The day has also played an integral part across communities ever since.

Unfortunately, public services were cancelled for the first time in history last year as a direct result of the global pandemic.

Thankfully, commemorative services are back this year with local RSL branches, community clubs and hospitality venues set to host intimate events to mark the occasion.

Scroll down to find out where to commemorate Anzac Day in the Hills this year.

Dawn tradition soldiers on throughout Hills communities

At least 14 Anzac Day commemorative services will go ahead as public events in the Adelaide Hills and Murray Bridge regions.

While COVID restrictions remain in place, many local RSL subbranches are forging ahead with more than 1000 people able to attend some ceremonies.

Dawn Services will take place in towns including Gumeracha, Houghton, Lobethal, Norton Summit, Littlehampton, Mount Pleasant, Stirling, Uraidla, Kanmantoo and Strathalbyn.

Three separate Anzac services and events will also be held in Murray Bridge.

With the annual Dawn Service in Mount Barker a members-only event this year, residents are invited to a special church service as an alternative.

Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Jen-Claire Wisdom said she applauded local RSLs for bringing back one of the biggest community events of the year.

“After last year, I think it will be lovely for people to have their traditional Anzac Day services back,’ she said.

“I think they will really feel that they can enjoy the occasion more by coming together and for people to actually have a remembrance ceremony.

“These events are incredibly important to the local communities and I think there will be a real appreciation that people are able to attend them.”

Where to find your nearest Dawn Service

Adelaide Hills Council

• Gumeracha: 6.30am, Gumeracha Oval, Torrens Valley Road
• Houghton: 6.10am, Houghton Square, Horn Street
• Lobethal: 6.00am, Cross of Remembrance, Main Street. Changed traffic conditions will be in place during the service
• Norton Summit: 6.30am, Anzac Memorial, Lobethal Road
• Stirling: 6.30am, Coventry Library Lawn
• Uraidla: 6.30am, Uraidla District Soldiers Memorial Park, Swamp Road

Mount Barker District Council

• Mount Barker: 10am – 11:30am, 147 Hurling Drive, ANZAC DAY Church Service
• Kanmantoo: 6.15am, Kanmantoo War Memorial, Old Princes Highway
• Meadows: 6.30am, Mawson Road, Meadows Memorial Park.
• Kangarilla: 630am, Grandstand on Kangarilla Oval.

Strathalbyn: 6am, Strathalbyn Cenotaph

Mount Pleasant: 6.15am, Mount Pleasant Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Melrose Street

The Rural City Of Murray Bridge

• Murray Bridge: 5.50am, War Memorial – Wharf Precinct, Wharf Road
• Murray Bridge: 7.30am, Gunfire Breakfast Murray Bridge RSL, Lot 2 Ross Road, Eastside
• Wellington: 6.15am – from vessel moored on River opposite Kropinyeri St

GIVING BACK TO LEGACY, ONE WINE AT A TIME

When a Hills winery came close to losing everything in the 2019 Cudlee Creek fires, it was the Army who helped save day.

This Sunday and Monday, Howard Vineyard in Nairne will give back to the families of those who served by donating 100 per cent of Anzac Day proceeds to Legacy.

Owner Tom Northcott, whose grandparents served in conflicts around the globe, said every dollar spent at the cellar door or restaurant on Sunday would support the 48,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving the country.

He said it was also a way to say thank you for the assistance they received after the fires from the men and women of the Woodside Army Barracks. More than 1000 hours were donated to assist with recovery and clean-up.

Howard Vineyard is opening up its cellar door for Anzac Day and will donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to Legacy. Pictured is Brand Manager Amber Flavell. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“As a hospitality business, this is a way we can give back and we just hope to put on a really lovely day with great food and drinks,” he said.

“Also, my grandparents were all service people so that day is very important to us.

“We first felt a bit weird about opening up on the day but the way we justified it was that we decided to use it to give back and that was something I discussed with my ex-service friends as well and they all said that Legacy was a great charity supporting vets.”

Mr Northcott said he encouraged people to book ahead.

“We are planning to do as many tastings and wine sells as possible on the day but giving COVID restrictions, we’ll probably max out on capacity prior to the day,” he said.

“That said, if the weather is nice, we will open it up to as many people as possible to raise as much money as we can, but everything will have to be pre-booked via the website.

For bookings visit howardvineyard.com

ANZAC DAY MATCHES TO RETURN TO THE HILLS – BUT WITH A TWIST

After Anzac matches were wiped out by COVID-19 last year, it’s back to the battlefield for Hills footy teams for one of the biggest games of the season.

Kicking off the day with a “car door” Dawn Service at Mount Barker Oval at 6am, junior players will take to the field from 8.45am.

It’s the first time Anzac matches are being held before 12.01pm, with the morning traditionally reserved for paying respect to the fallen.

While the decision has left many divided, including Hahndorf Football President Graham Kaesler, the day is expected to be one filled with tradition and plenty of camaraderie.

This includes the annual A-grade match between Mount Barker and Hahndorf at 2.30pm.

“I’m quite angry, actually, that games are starting this early as I believe it doesn't show the respect (for the day) as it deserves,” Mr Kaesler said.

“But it is what it is and we'll get them back by kicking their butt (in the game).

“We’re having a pretty good run at the moment, so I’m sure we’ll win.”

Cooper Nykamp of the Hahndorf Magpies and Ross Brooks of the Mount Barker Roos will play against each other in the annual Hills footy league Anzac Day Match on Sunday. Picture Mark Brake

Mount Barker President Scott Filmer said all efforts would be made to ensure the Anzac spirit was retained throughout the day.

He said he expected around 1000 spectators to attend, in line with COVID restrictions.

“This year we have around 15 military players – and they don’t all play A-grade – who serve at Inverbrackie but live in Mount Barker and that have come on this year,” he said.

“We also have a close association with the RSL in Mount Barker and usually go to their Dawn Service and take an active part in that but this year, they’ve decided to have it veteran-only due to COVID.

“So we are running a Dawn Service at the footy club this year and it’s basically a car Dawn Service where we say; ‘come along, bring your car and turn 819 radio on’, before we raise the flag and play the Last Post over the PA system.

“We did it last year with the sun coming up and the bugle call sounding over the town and many said it was magnificent as an alternative (service).”

Mr Filmer said players would also be educated about the importance of Anzac Day in the lead-up to the event.

“We got a member of the RSL coming out on Thursday night to do a presentation and he’ll give some of his own memories of the war and what it meant to him,” he said.

“So for the players, it’s a good lesson of sacrifice leading into the game.

“While it’s not in the same spirit as going to war, when you are part of a footy club it’s about playing for your mates and the sacrifice you can make on the field.”

CRAFTING SUPPORT FOR OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY

It is not often that drinking beer and saving a life go hand-in-hand.

But that’s the case with Western Australia-based craft beer company Spinifex Brewing Co which is donating 50 per cent of the profits from sales of its F88 Lager to support military charities.

One of those is the annual SmartBar Walk for a Veteran Inc., a South Australian charity event aimed at supporting veterans and emergency service personnel struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hills residents are urged to get behind the initiative by having a beer with their mate at the Woodside Hotel.

Veterans Nathan Bolton, Luke Adamson and Chad McLaren with beer F88 at The Woodside Hotel. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The local pub is the first in the Hills to stock the beer – named for the F88 Austeyr rifle.

The chairman of the charity, Chad McLaren, hoped for a statewide distribution of F88 by Anzac Day.

“I think it would be great to see as many venues as possible support the campaign by Anzac Day,” Mr McLaren said.

“Everyone will be out having a drink with their mates, so I hope more venues will support (the campaign).

“With partnerships with like-minded companies such as Spinifex, Walk for a Veteran is looking to increase the reach of our health and wellbeing message, attract more walkers and sponsors to enable us to donate more than ever before in 2021.”

*If you are unable to attend a public service in person, you may like to commemorate our veterans this ANZAC DAY by again standing in your living room, front yard, or on your balcony at 6am to Light Up the Dawn by holding a candle in place, in lieu of attending your regular service.