The ANZAC Day Dawn Service just around the corner

Paying respect to Australia's service men and women

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service is a solemn and moving ritual, attended by many ex-service men and women, their families and by ordinary Australians in towns and cities across the continent on the 25th of April each year. But how many people know where the tradition of the dawn service began?

The dawn service is a tribute to both the time of the Gallipoli landings which occurred at dawn and the military tradition of 'standing to'.

In war, dawn and dusk were common times for launching an attack or indeed repelling the attack of a foe. Therefore daily at this precarious interval soldiers were required to an their post with weapons at the ready for what may await. These were times of day when soldiers were alert and prepared but also alone with their thoughts.

Dawn services took place in towns around Australia prior but the generally accepted first organised ANZAC Day Dawn Service took place in 1928 at the Sydney Cenotaph, located in Martin Place. The inaugural event was attended by about 150 people.

The inception of this dawn service however can be traced to a group of veterans on the ANZAC eve of 1927. Heading home through Martin Place in the early hours of the morning, they came across an elderly woman laying a wreath at the not yet completed monument. They joined her in her grief and vowed to begin a tradition.

Last year 12,000 people attended the dawn service at the Sydney Cenotaph and paid their respects to the men and women who have defended Australia and who have represented Australia in peacekeeping missions.

Remember the fallen and those who have served

Stay so close to the dawn service and Anzac march

While there's always room for debate about what's the best way to commemorate ANZAC Day, the events that are part of the official program are always moving, respectful, solemn occasions that remind us of what has been lost for what has been gained. ANZAC Day is continuing to grow in popularity as one of our most significant national days and there are plenty of ways for you to pay your respects in Sydney this year.

 

1) Free ANZAC Concert

A free ANZAC lunchtime concert of popular band music, organised by the Royal Australian Navy, will be performed at Martin Place on Wednesday 24 April. A collection will be taken up for The United Returned Soldiers' Fund, which supports ex and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

2) ANZAC Day Dawn Services

Sydney Dawn Service
The main ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held, as always at The Cenotaph in Sydney City's Martin Place. It commences at dawn, which this year is at 4.30am, marking the time of the original Gallipoli landings.

RSL Sub-branch Dawn Services
Dawn services are also held at many local RSL sub-branches throughout Sydney. You'll find them from Mosman to Miranda , Kingsgrove to Katoomba, and Blackheath to Burwood.

Many of these services feature guest speakers and offer a post service breakfast.

A full list of RSL sub-branches and details of their ANZAC Day commemorations can be found here.

3) ANZAC Day Marches

Sydney ANZAC Day March
According to RSL New South Wales the aim of the Sydney ANZAC Day March is to provide an opportunity for the community to "honour those who served in the defence of Australia or its interests". Particular attention is focussed on those who gave their lives or have suffered because of their service for the Australian people. Veterans and their descendants march.

Marchers appear in particular order - Navy/Army/Air Force in date order of the conflicts in which they participated, civilians in support of Australian troops, descendants of Australian veterans, then Commonwealth and Allies.

The March begins at the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place at 9am then moves through Martin Place, Pitt Street, George Street and Bathurst Street, finishing in Elizabeth Street at about 1.30pm. You can download a map and all necessary information here.

Those who are unable to attend can watch the proceedings televised live on ABC1.

Image by Sandstein from Wikimedia Commons

Sub-Branch Marches
Marches are also held in many RSL Sub-branches. Details can be found by clicking on your nearest sub-branch here.


4) ANZAC Commemoration Service

The Commemoration Service is held next to The Pool of Remembrance at the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park South. This service includes bands, choirs, cadets and a United Drumhead Service. It runs from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

ANZAC War Memorial. Image by Gobeirne from Wikimedia Commons.

5) ANZAC Day NRL Match

This will be the eleventh year that the National Rugby League has acknowledged the importance of ANZAC Day with a blockbuster clash for the ANZAC Cup between traditional rivals, The Sydney Roosters and The St George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 4pm at Allianz Stadium. The best player will be awarded The Spirit of ANZAC Award. Prices range from $30 for adults and $15 for children to $50 for adults and $22 for children. Family tickets and concessions are also available. Tickets can be purchased online here.


6) Sunset Service

ANZAC Day commemorations conclude with the short Sunset Service at 5pm at the Cenotaph at Martin Place, at which flags are lowered.