Locals welcomed back to Anzac Day services after 2020 cancellations

COVID-19 has proved problematic for Anzac Day services, but crowds will this year be able to return to commemorations - albeit in a more restricted fashion. Here is your guide to Anzac Day commemorations across the Coffs Coast.

Sawtell Anzac Day Service 2019.

COVID-19 has proved problematic for Anzac Day services, but crowds will this year be able to return to commemorations across the Coffs Coast - albeit in a more restricted fashion.

In 2020, Anzac Day was marked by residents standing in their driveways and lighting candles at dawn.

And while it is a step up, health restrictions will also mean this year’s commemorations will not take place in the traditional way, with RSL Sub Branches of the Coffs Coast uniting to conduct a joint service and march to ensure compliance.

The joint initiative between Coffs Harbour, Urunga and Woolgoolga Sub Branches will take place at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium from 9am.

Those not marching or laying wreaths are asked to arrive prior and everyone attending must register.

The joint service was raised as a Matter of an Urgent Nature at a Coffs Harbour City Council meeting last month by Cr Keith Rhoades, who called on the State Government to be “more flexible” with the health restrictions.

Coffs Harbour’s Anzac Day service will not be held at the cenotaph this year. Pictured here is the 2019 Service.

He said he’d hoped there would be “light at the end of the tunnel” in that the tradition of having ceremonies at local cenotaphs could be maintained into the future. General Manager Steve McGrath advised that the council would correspond with the State Government on the matter.

Earlier this month, a special exemption was granted by the NSW Government to double the caps – allowing up to 10,000 people to attend Sydney’s Anzac Day parade in the CBD and 5,000 to attend commemorations across regional NSW.

The Sawtell RSL Sub-Branch were initially set to take part in the joint ceremony at C.ex Stadium however following the easing of restrictions it has since been announced Sawtell will have its own commemorations.

The streets of Sawtell will be lined with locals once again for Anzac Day 2021. Pictured here is the 2019 Service.

When the services were cancelled in 2020, Coffs locals veteran Scott Seccombe and cameraman Kyle Hands joined forces to create what proved to be an innovative way to commemorate Anzac Day in the face of COVID-19 – Anzac 2020 Live.

The special Dawn Service was broadcast live on the open Facebook group of the same name, which garnered around 25,000 members from across the country. The project had begun on a local scale but grew with the support of many including Mayor Denise Knight, and included several prerecorded pieces from well-known names such as Jack Thompson.

In 2021, RSL Sub-branches across the Coffs Coast will be hosting services. These include:

– Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Urunga RSL Sub Branches will hold the Coffs Coast Community ANZAC Day Commemorative Service and March at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium from 9am. Attendees must register individually at the C.ex Group website. Social distancing and Service NSW check in on arrival and departure must be adhered to. Those not marching must arrive prior to 9am.

– Woolgoolga RSL Sub Branch will hold its own Dawn Service in the Auditorium within the Diggers Club from 5.45am. The restricted, ticketed event will see all guests seated and reduced wreath laying. Entry will not be possible without a ticket, which can be received by contacting the club directly.

– Sawtell RSL Sub Branch will hold a Dawn Service at Lyle Rose RSL Memorial Park from 6am. This will be followed by a street march from 11am forming at 2nd Avenue, and finishing up at Lyle Rose RSL Memorial Park. The Sawtell Community Service will then be held at the park at approximately 11.20am. All attendees must check in on arrival and departure using the NSW Government QR code that will be provided.

– Bellinger River RSL Sub Branch will hold a Dawn Service at the Bellingen War Memorial from 5.30am. There will be no public breakfast after the service. This will be followed by the Main Service which will commence at 9am at the Bellingen War Memorial. All attendees must check in on arrival and departure using the NSW Government QR code that will be provided.

– Bellinger River RSL Sub Branch will also hold a Dawn Service at Repton’s War Memorial, located on the junction of Bailey St and Mylestom Dr from 5.30am.