ANZAC DAY 2026
the sacrifice, lest we forget
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 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 2026 Anzac Day Dawn Service and March in Sydney
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held at 4.20 am at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney, which was sculpted by Sir Bertram Mackennal and unveiled in 1929.
The Dawn Service will be followed by the ANZAC Day March, which will take place along Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD at 9.00 am.
There are many locations to view the March on both sides of Elizabeth Street. The public is invited to attend and watch the Service and March in person, or will be able to watch the events from home on TV and online. The Dawn Service will be broadcast live across all free-to-air television networks and radio stations. The March will be broadcast live on ABC or available on iView.
For more information of ceremonies in the local area, please visit the RSL NSW website www. rslnsw. org. au.
ANZAC
Day 2026
On Saturday 25th April 2026, 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 also who have served.
Location: Centenary of ANZAC Reserve, Wrights Road, Kellyville Time: Service commences at 6:00 AM( please arrive by 5.45am) Parking: Shopping Centre carparks will be open. The ANZAC Day Dawn Service livestream is at www. chrslsubbranch. org. au / 2026anzacday. 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 8850 4809
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 130 // APRIL 2026 19