Anzac Day 2021: Sydney dawn services, marches and public holiday guide
After commemorations were held in driveways during lockdowns, Anzac Day services return to suburbs across Sydney. Here’s what you need to know.
NSW
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Last year’s ANZAC Day commemorations were held in driveways and on balconies, with lone buglers performing the Last Post in suburbs across the country.
This year, RSL branches have worked with the NSW Government to ensure commemorations can take place in accordance with COVID health guidelines.
Because April 25 is on a Sunday, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania will not give residents a public holiday on the Monday, although other states and the NT will.
An exemption to the Public Health Order issued to RSL NSW on March 9 stipulates that a maximum of 5000 people can participate in the Sydney CBD march which is ticketed.
All tickets for Dawn Service have now been booked.
The following services are being held across Sydney. Contact RSL branches for details.
SYDNEY CBD DAWN SERVICE AND MARCH
The NSW ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney at 4.30am, the approximate time First Australians waded ashore at ANZAC Cove.
It is an invite only event. Details here. A COVID-safe march will follow through the CBD with marchers capped at 5000 veterans and serving members of the Australian Defence Force.
You can also watch a live stream of the Dawn Service at Martin Place commencing at 4.15am.
AVALON SERVICES
Avalon Beach RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at 5.30am at Dunbar Park, Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach. No march. The main service will be held at 11am.
BONDI JUNCTION SERVICE
The Bondi Junction/Waverley RSL sub-branch service will be held at 8am at Waverley Park, Birrell St, Bondi. Organised by Waverley Council, cadets from Waverley College will provide the Catafalque Party and Bugler. There is no singing and no band. The service will take about 30 minutes with strict COVID-19 provisions.
CAMDEN SERVICES
A Dawn Service will be held at Camden RSL Club at 5:15am This is a ticketed event limited to 300 and will be livestreamed. Camden Community Band will perform and breakfast will be served afterwards for those attending. No March.
A Main Service will be held at the club at 11am around the bowling green followed by lunch.
CANLEY HEIGHTS DAWN SERVICE
The Canley Heights RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at 7am at the Club Cenotaph at 26 Humphries Rd Wakeley. No March. Attendance capped at 120, invitations only.
CAMPBELLTOWN SERVICES AND MARCH
City of Campbelltown RSL sub-branch will hold at Dawn Service at 5.30am at Mawson Park, Queen S, Campbelltown. Attendance by online ticket registration. A march will be held at 8.30am, beginning at St Peters Church ending at the main service at Mawson Park at 9am.
COOGEE SERVICES
Coogee Randwick Clovelly RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at 5.30am at the Goldstein Reserve, Arden St. Ticketed event will be run with Randwick City Council. Numbers to be finalised. The event will be live streamed.
Bands, choirs and guest speakers will be followed by breakfast at Coogee Digger Club.
The main service will be held at 6.30am at the Coogee Diggers Club, Byron St.
CRONULLA DAWN SERVICE
Cronulla RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at Monro Park, Cronulla St, Cronulla at 5.30am. Ticketed event with numbers to be confirmed.
FIVE DOCK SERVICE
Five Dock RSL sub-branch will hold a main service at 11am at Five Dock Park, Park Rd. The service will be one hour attended by sub branch members, local politicians and community. Numbers expected to be between 350-400.
FORESTVILLE SERVICES
Forestville RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at the Forestville RSL Club at 22 Melwood Ave at 5:25am. The ticketed event will be held in the memorial gardens near the Cenotaph, within the grounds of Forestville RSL Club.
No March. A main service will be held at 2.30pm at the cenotaph on Sunday 18 April. This is a ticketed event.
KOGARAH SERVICE AND MARCH
Kogarah RSL sub-branch will hold a march at 7.30am from Bellevue St behind the Kogarah Clubhouse to the Cenotaph at Jubilee Park on Princes Highway, Kogarah. A commemoration service will be held at 7:40am at the cenotaph followed by the laying of wreaths. The 30-minute service will be followed by refreshments at the clubhouse.
LANE COVE SERVICE AND MARCH
Lane Cove RSL sub-branch will hold a service at The Canopy, Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove at 7:30am. Veterans will march a short distance ahead of the service.
MOSMAN DAWN SERVICE
Mosman RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at 5.30am at Barracks Parade Ground, Best Ave, Georges Heights, Mosman. Parking available on Middle Head Oval.
PARRAMATTA DAWN SERVICE
Parramatta RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at 4.30am at Prince Alfred Square, Church St, Parramatta. All those attending must follow a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
RAMSGATE SERVICE AND MARCH
Ramsgate RSL sub-branch will hold a march at 7am from the Sans Souci Literary Institute down Ramsgate Rd to the car park of Ramsgate RSL. Led by pipe band.
A main service will be held at 7.20am at the Ramsgate RSL Memorial Club, cnr Ramsgate Rd and, Chuter Ave, Sans Souci. COVID check in, ticketed for 250 persons. John Mango will MC service.
WOLLONGONG DAWN SERVICE
Wollongong RSL sub-branch will hold a Dawn Service at the City Diggers Wollongong, Church St at 6am. The service indoors currently has a COVID-Safe capacity of 130 people. Therefore only sub-Branch members and invited guests are able to participate.
No march and no town hall service.
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