ANZAC DAY 2024
the sacrifice , lest we forget
nor a memorial service . Since then , Anzac Day has been commemorated at the Memorial every year .
What does it mean today ?
Australians recognise 25 April as a day of national remembrance , which takes two forms . Commemorative services are held across the nation at dawn – the time of the original landing , while later in the day , former servicemen and servicewomen meet to take part in marches through the country ’ s major cities and in many smaller centres . Commemorative ceremonies are more formal , and are held at war memorials around the country . In these ways , Anzac Day is a time at which Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war . The Dawn Service It is often suggested that the Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine still followed by the Australian Army . The half-light of dawn was one of the times favoured for launching an attack . Soldiers in defensive positions were woken in the dark before dawn , so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake , alert , and manning their weapons ; this is still known as the “ stand-to ”. As dusk is equally favourable for battle , the stand-to was repeated at sunset .
After the First World War , returned soldiers sought the comradeship they had felt in those quiet , peaceful moments before dawn . A dawn vigil became the basis for commemoration in several places after the war . It is difficult to say when the first dawn services were held , as many were instigated by veterans , clergymen , and civilians from all over the country . A dawn requiem mass was held at Albany as early as 1918 , and a wreath laying and commemoration took place at dawn in Toowoomba the following year .
In 1927 a group of returned men returning at dawn from an Anzac Day function held the night before came upon an elderly woman laying flowers at the as yet unfinished Sydney Cenotaph . Joining her in this private remembrance , the men later resolved to institute a dawn service the following year . Some 150 people
25 April 1916 : Australian and New Zealand troops marching down Whitehall London to Westminster Abbey . Collection Item C1084383 Accession Number : P04497.004 .
gathered at the Cenotaph in 1928 for a wreath laying and two minutes ’ silence . This is generally regarded as the beginning of organised dawn services . Over the years the ceremonies have developed into their modern forms and have seen an increased association with the dawn landings of 25 April 1915 . The National Ceremony At the Australian War Memorial , the National Ceremony begins with the traditional order of service , including the veteran ’ s march , Commemorative Address , laying of wreaths , hymns , the sounding of the Last Post , and observance of one minute ’ s silence , and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia .
Attend the 2024 Anzac ADay Dawn Service and March in Sydney
The Anzac Day Dawn Service will be held at The Cenotaph in Martin Place , Sydney from 4:20am to 5:30am on Thursday 25 April 2024 .
The Dawn Service will be followed by the Anzac Day March , which takes place along Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD . There are many locations to view the March on both sides of Elizabeth Street .
The March commences at 9am and will conclude at midday .
The public is invited to attend the Service and March in person , or will be able to watch the events from home on TV and online . Broadcast details will be advised closer to the day .
For more information of ceremonies in the local area , please visit the RSL NSW www . rslnsw . org . au . [ Article Courtesy of https :// www . awm . gov . au / commemoration / anzac-day / traditions ]
Crowds line the route of the Anzac Day National Ceremony march , 25 April 2011 .
ANZAC Day 2024
On Thursday 25th April 2024 , Castle Hill & District RSL sub-Branch is conducting our annual ANZAC Day Dawn Service . We invite veterans ( anyone who has ever served in our Defence Force or those of our allies ), families , and community members to join us . Together , we will pay tribute to all those who have served in the Defence of our nation . ANZAC Day holds a special place in our hearts — a day for reflection and remembrance , paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and who have served .
Location : Centenary of ANZAC Reserve , Wrights Road , Kellyville Time : Service commences at 6:00 AM Parking : Shopping Centre carparks will be open .
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service livestream is at chrslsubbranch . org . au / 2024ANZACday . Our professional livestream will bring the ANZAC Day Dawn Service directly to you .
Our setup includes a large screen at the front , allowing all attendees to fully engage with our commemoration .
At Castle Hill & District RSL sub-Branch , our service to the veteran community extends beyond ANZAC Day . Our mission is to support veterans , foster camaraderie , and resilience . Throughout the year , we run activities and events for service personnel and their families . The sub-Branch has a dedicated welfare team in place to support service personnel and their families .
Connect with Us
• Website : chrslsubbranch . org . au • Facebook : facebook . com / ch . subbranch
• Office Contact : 02 8858 4909
Join us at the Centenary of ANZAC Reserve . Together we honour the past , cherish the present , and safeguard the future .
This ANZAC Day , let us remember and reflect .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 106 // APRIL 2024 19