Anzac Day 2022: Services return after two-year hiatus across South Australia

After two years of Covid cancellations, Anzac Day is finally back to normal, with people flocking to memorial services across SA. Watch a replay from the SA National War Memorial.

Anzac Day services are returning to normal across South Australia for the first time in two years with veterans honoured at full-scale Dawn Services and marches.

Covid caused a ban on spectators at last year’s march, while the 2020 event – along a host of Dawn Services – was cancelled altogether.

However, people flocked to the lit-up SA National War Memorial right up to the start of the service, with the closed section of North Terrace filled with spectators standing shoulder to shoulder to honour loved ones.

The state’s Anzac Day committee was expecting easily more than 20,000 residents to return to the city on Monday.

The Dawn Service at the SA National War Memorial in Adelaide on Anzac Day 2022. Picture: Riley Walter

Thousands of people attended the Adelaide Dawn Service at the National War Memorial at 6am which, for the first time, will be led by an all-Aboriginal cast.

The morning featured an Aboriginal catafalque party, a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, and music by singer/songwriter Vonda Last, who performed her hit song For Love of Country instead of one of the traditional hymns.

This year, for the first time, Adelaide's Dawn Service at the National War Memorial, had an all Aboriginal cast. Veterans Alex Houthuysen, Matty Moore, Frank Lampard attended. Picture Dean Martin

Frank Wanganeen with Frank Lampard at the War Memorial. Picture: Russell Millard

Many of the state’s political leaders paid their respects at the service, placing wreaths at the foot of the memorial, including Premier Peter Malinauskas, Opposition Leader David Speirs, Senator Penny Wong, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Governor Frances Adamson and Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor.

Mr Malinauskas, who attended the service with wife Annabel and daughter Sophie, said the turnout exceeded the government’s expectations.

The dawn service is always important, regardless of where it is,” he said.

“The tradition in South Australia of honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty and freedom is profound.

“To see such a large crowd here as we emerge out of the pandemic shows the ANZAC spirit has well and truly survived Covid.”

Honouring Indigenous Australians was an integral part of the city’s first Dawn Service since the pandemic, with a smoking ceremony headlining the celebrations along with a welcome to country and traditional song performed by Kaurna leader Jack Buckskin and his daughter Mahleaha, 11.

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at the SA National War Memorial. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Buckskin, 35, said it was a special moment to share with his daughter.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I love standing with her.”

Mr Buckskin, a Kaurna and Narungga man, said the acknowledgment of Aboriginal people on Anzac Day was important.

“There were flavours (of Aboriginal culture) through the whole thing, which was nice.”

Dozens of people gathered at the Aboriginal War Memorial following the Dawn service to continue the recognition of Aboriginal veterans.

Darren Hincks, who was attending the memorial with brother Raymond, praised the recognition of Aboriginal service men and women.

“It’s important for our mob,” Mr Hincks said.

“It’s small steps.”

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at the SA National War Memorial. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Air Force Indigenous liaison officer Steven Warrior, who led the smoking ceremony with daughters Havanna, 10, and Wynter, 6, said he hoped Dawn Services would continue to celebrate Aboriginal veterans.

“One of the most cherished moments I have in this uniform is sitting down with veterans that we’ve got and hearing their stories and the challenges they’ve had to face,” he said.

“To reflect on that during this day and to be able to commemorate them…it’s a very special occasion.

“I think it’s something that we need to do.”

Mr Malinauskas said honouring Aboriginal veterans was an important part of the dawn service.

“It is truly special, of course,” he said.

“We know that a large number of Indigenous people lost their lives in the name of our country, their country, and to have that in a particular way this morning is unique and I think really special.”

A large crowd at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Semaphore. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Chief petty officer Bradley Lynch, who has served in the navy for over 20 years and shared the morning with his daughter Alice, 2, was pleased to welcome the Dawn service back.

“We came last year and there were a lot of barriers up and people weren’t sure whether to come or not, but this year it was great,” he said. “Everyone’s in it together.”

Mr Lynch also was paying tribute to family members who served in the British Army.

Kyzar Dean, 7, was up bright and early attending his second Dawn Service paying tribute to his uncle Ron who served in Vietnam.

Kyzar said it was important to “honour everybody’s memories” on Anzac Day.

He said his favourite part of the service was the Last Post.

Around 5000 veterans and their families are also expected to march along North Tce and King William Rd from 9.30am, with 15,000 spectators expected to line the streets.

A P-8A Poseidon flying display will head over the march at 10.30am.

A further 3000 veterans and their families are also expected to attend the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, immediately after the march at 11.30am.

“Numbers are a bit unpredictable as some veterans will opt to stay at home, not just because of Covid, but because of other health issues, so we’ll probably be down by 5 to 8 per cent (to 2019),” committee chair Ian Smith said earlier.

“But I think people will be very eager to get back out there and it looks like it’s going to be a nice day.”

Fort Glanville Historical Association at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Semaphore. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Smith said Adelaide Metro had come on board to offer free travel to past and present military personnel on all bus, train and tram services throughout the day.

Grants of up to $10,000 have also been made available to Returned Services League subbranches to help enable them run commemorative services.

As a result, 82 services will be held across SA.

“That funding has helped a lot of subbranches get over the line in terms of being able to get back to normal and to host Dawn Services and other commemorative events,” Mr Smith said.

“That includes Brighton, which had to host their Dawn Service at the Oval last year to manage crowds.

“This year, however, with the help of the grant, they are back to the Arch of Remembrance at Brighton Jetty – so it’s back to normal for them.”