The commemoration of ANZAC day is close to the heart of many Australians and New Zealanders. We remember those brave men and women who served and are serving our great country, many of them who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Remembering our ANZACS is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, on the 25th April 1915, during the First World War.
We look forward, once again, to participating in our local ANZAC day remembrance service. Children can march with their school and honour those who have given us so much. A large number of our local community join in the service and pay their respects to those past and present. It’s a time of reflection. Many people across Lake Macquarie attend the dawn service or their local morning services, and some even travel to Gallipoli. Afterwards, many gather together at our local RSLs to catch up with their mates and toss a few coins for Two-Up.
So, what can we do this year?
Local services
Belmont
A march will commence at 9:45 am from High Street. The service is at 10 am at Cullen Park.
Cardiff
A march will commence from the corner of Macquarie Road and Main Road, Cardiff at 5 am. Dawn service will commence at 5:10 am.
Catherine Hill Bay
At the Catherine Hill Bay Cenotaph, a dawn service will be held at 6 am.
Charlestown
Join us in the march at 11 am at Charlestown. Starting at the Lions Park and Cenotaph.
Dora Creek
Neville Thompson Oval will host a Dawn Service at 6 am followed by a 6:45 am gunfire breakfast at Dora Creek Workers Club. A march followed by the main service will start at 9:40 am at Neville Thompson Oval.
Dudley
At 5:45 am, the dawn service commences at Banfield Lane near the water tower. The service will follow at Dudley War Memorial.
Pelican
The march forms at 5:50 am on Piriwal Street before a dawn service at 6 am at the Memorial Park.
Rathmines
The march will start at 12.45 pm near Club Catalina Rathmines Bowling Club. ANZAC Day service & flyover will follow at 1 pm at the Rathmines Catalina Memorial. In case of inclement weather, please check the Facebook page here. Rathmines Catalina Association | Facebook
Redhead
Redhead War Memorial on Cowlishaw Street, a service will be held at 11 am.
Speers Point
The march commences at the boat ramp at 6 am with the dawn service following.
Swansea
Swansea RSL Club will host a dawn service at 6 am. Later that morning, a march will start at 11 am from McDonald’s, with the main service held afterward at the RSL Memorial Cenotaph at noon.
Toronto
Goffet Park on Brighton Avenue hosts the dawn service at 6 am. A march will be held on The Boulevarde opposite the Diggers at 10:50 am, with a service following at 11 am at Goffet Park.
Valentine
The march will commence at 10 am at Allambee Park, followed by the service.
Wangi Wangi
5.30 am Dawn Service at the War Memorial at Wangi RSL Club followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at 6:30 am. A march begins at 9:30 am from Kent Place, with a vehicle parade starting from Puna Rd at 10 am. A flyover will als take place at 10 am, then the main service will follow at 10:30 am at the Cenotaph at Wangi RSL on Watkins Road.
West Wallsend
ANZAC Day march will start at the corner of Withers and Carrington Street at 9.45 am. A service will follow at Soldiers Park Memorial on Carrington Street.
If you’re unable to attend a service this year you can still participate in the following ways.
1. Music for Mateship
On ANZAC day, some musicians will be playing The Last Post and Reveille from the end of their driveway. If you have a musician in your home, have a look at this site. It gives you sheet music for a range of instruments as well as a letter to let your neighbours know of your plans. Be ready just before 6 am on Friday, the 25th. https://musicformateship.org/ If you are not musical, there is also a download of The Last Post, which you can listen to.
2. Watch the dawn service at 4:30 am or 9 am service LIVE on the ABC
The Sydney dawn service will be broadcast live on ABC at 4:30 am. The official NSW Anzac Day Dawn service will be held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place.
The Sydney March will be broadcast on ABC from 9 am.
The Gallipoli Dawn Service will be on ABC TV and ABC News channel LIVE from 12:30 pm. The Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service from 1:30 pm.
3. Make a poppy and put it in your window
My kids have spent the week using egg cartons to make poppies to remember. There are lots of ways you can make your own poppy if you don’t already have one. Paper and pipe cleaners, crocheted, felt or even red cupcake paper cases can be used. This is a great project to do with your children and gives you the perfect opportunity to discuss why we remember our ANZACS and what they have done for us.
4. Close your eyes and remember by smell
Rosemary cuttings are used to remember ANZAC Day. If you have one growing in your garden don’t forget to add some cuttings to your front door. You could use a stem or make a wreath, or hang rosemary around your letterbox and let the neighbours smell it as they pass by. Rosemary has particular significance for Australians as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. Since ancient times, this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to improve memory.
5. Give a donation to the ANZAC appeal
At this time it’s important to remember those who are veterans or still serving. You can do this by donating to the ANZAC appeal here: https://anzacappeal.com.au/
Alternatively, you can reach out to members of the Australian Defence Force who are serving now by emailing: supportthetroops@defence.gov.au
If there are veterans that you know give them a call and check how they are as this will be a particularly difficult time for them.
The Ode – Lawrence Binyon
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
