Large crowds are expected for ANZAC Day services this year, as we remember our fallen heroes and support current serving members of the Australian forces. Read below for a selection of the services on 23 April and 25 April.
Balgowlah RSL Memorial Club Sunday 23 April, 10.45am Tuesday 25 April, 6am
On Sunday 23 April, the Manly Band will accompany servicemen and women in a march down Ethel Street to the RSL. All are then invited to a service in the club at 11am. A guest speaker from HMAS Penguin will give the memorial address and refreshments will be provided afterwards. Then, on ANZAC Day, families, veterans, and existing service officers are invited to a dawn service at the club’s cenotaph. A bugler from the Manly Band will open the service before prayers and reflections.
Forestville RSL Club Sunday 23 April, 2.40pm Tuesday 25 April, 5.35am
A march will commence at Forestville Memorial Hall and end at the Forestville RSL on Sunday 23 April, before a service is held at 3pm. Represented in the march will be current and former servicemen and women. They will be joined by community organisations including local girl guides, scouts, and Army and Airforce school cadets from the depot in Dee Why. Senior students from Davidson High School will deliver the ANZAC service and the school band will also perform. A dawn service will then be held on ANZAC Day at the Forestville RSL Club. Members of the community can lay a wreath at the cenotaph. A full breakfast will be served after the event.
Collaroy RSL Club Tuesday, 25 April, 5pm
There will be a parade on the beach in front of the Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) before a sunset service on the beach. The ANZAC address will be delivered by the senior cadet under-officer of Pittwater House’s army cadet unit. A crew from the Collaroy SLSC will then lay a wreath on behalf of the community at sea. The crew will take the wreath past the line of breakers and place it in the water while the first post is played.
Dee Why RSL Club Tuesday 25 April, 5.30am
The dawn service at Ted Jackson Reserve, Dee Why Beach, is the largest on the Northern Beaches, usually attended by up to 15,000 people. The guest speaker will be a local veteran. The commemoration pays respects to the original ANZACs, as well as the men and women who served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. After the service, you can buy a $5 bacon and egg roll from Battery House and a $5 breakfast in the bistro, back at the Dee Why RSL (932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why).
Manly Dam and Manly War Memorial, Tuesday 25 April, 4.25am, 5.30am and 11am
Northern Beaches Council hosts three services in the Manly area on ANZAC Day. A pre-dawn service will be held at 4.25am (arrive by 4am) at Manly Dam before a dawn service will take place in front of Manly Town Hall at 5.30am (arrive by 5.15am). A commemorative service will then occur at 11am (arrive by 10.40am) at the war memorial in front of the town hall. Commemorative badges and poppies will be available to buy, with proceeds going to RSL Veterans Life Care.
For details on other ANZAC Day services and road closures in the Manly area, visit the events section of the Northern Beaches Council website or your local RSL website.
