ANZAC Day
ANZAC DAY 25th April
Anzac Day is observed annually on April 25th, the anniversary of the Dardanelles Campaign Landing in 1915, and traditionally includes commemorations across Australia, New Zealand and overseas at dedicated war memorials, community precincts and RSL Sub-Branches. Anzac Day is honoured with a national public holiday. The 2025 Anzac Day is on Friday 25th April.
The Adelaide Anzac Day Committee plans and conducts the Anzac Eve Youth Vigil, Dawn Service, March and Cross of Sacrifice Remembrance Service in Adelaide. We are grateful to the many participants, marshals and volunteers who work to make it a success for everyone to reflect on and pay respects.
SA Anzac Day Commemorations Act 2005
We will remember them
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Anzac Services
The 2025 Adelaide Dawn Service at the SA National War Memorial commences at 6am, at the end of the Anzac Eve Youth Vigil.
Regional and metropolitan organisers conduct Anzac commemorations across South Australia, Northern Territory and Broken Hill. Details will be posted and updated as they become available.
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Adelaide Anzac March
The 2025 Adelaide Anzac Day March details will be available to view here when finalised - Order of March, Assembly Areas Map, Route Map and dispersal information. The march commences at 9:30am from the North Terrace/Gawler Place intersection.
Adelaide Anzac March Guide - Assembly Areas, Order of March, March Route, Dispersals, Information
It is important to note that the Anzac Day March in Adelaide is a commemorative march and not a parade - Statement of March Principles.
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CROSS OF SACRIFICE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
The traditional Service of Remembrance is held at the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, North Adelaide, shortly after the Anzac Day March concludes. Public attendance is welcomed and encouraged.
This service provides a significant finale to the commemorations, with the Dawn Service representing a funeral, the March representing the walk to the grave site and the service at the Cross of Sacrifice representing the burial.
The Cross of Sacrifice Memorial, dedicated in 1922, stands in gardens opposite St Peters Cathedral and commemorates the men and women who died during the Great War 1914 – 1919. An Ataturk Tribute and Eternal Flame also feature in the garden.
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ANZAC YOUTH VIGILS
The RSL SA Anzac Eve Youth Vigil (Adelaide) is a youth inspired activity, since 1999, that has become the first ceremony of remembrance for Anzac Day in South Australia.
With differing backgrounds and interests, young Australians representing a variety of service and community groups, conduct a formal ‘Holding Ground’ Ceremony, a night-long, guard of honour around the historic South Australian National War Memorial, corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide, from 6.00pm Anzac Eve to approximately 6.00am Anzac morning.
In doing so, the youth have created their own Anzac Day tradition. The evening Dedication Ceremony on 24th April is attended by invited guests, youth group organisers and families. Just prior to dawn the youth guards stepped down and the Dawn Service followed
More information: https://www.rslsa.org.au/anzac-youth-vigil-adelaide
RSL SA Anzac Eve Youth Vigil Facebook
Vigils are also held in regional and metropolitan areas.
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Anzac On Torrens 2025
On Anzac Day, the RSL hosts Anzac on Torrens – a traditional, comradeship event for veterans, their families, supporters, and the public, on Torrens Parade Ground. Catching-up with old mates, and making new ones, is an integral part of Anzac Day.
Catering, refreshments and entertainment details will be advised when finalised. Event organisers are grateful to veterans, public, sponsors and organisations that participate to make this gathering successful.
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Conducting a Commemoration
RSL SA offers this guide to conducting a personal remembrance service. It contains links to bugle calls and music to complement your words.
Introduction: Use your own words of reflection, name people you remember today, give gratitude for those who served and sacrificed, and to those still serving in defence of our nation.
Read the Anzac Requiem
Recite the Ode:
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.
Play The Last Post
Minute of Silence
Play Rouse
Recite: Lest We Forget
Play New Zealand National Anthem
Play Australian National Anthem
ConclusionYou may add prayers, hymns, readings, placing of wreaths and tributes, personal content to reflect your beliefs. Bugle calls and music are thanks to www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au
Australian Flag Protocols In accordance with Australian flag protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast on Anzac Day from dawn until noon in your locality, at which time the flag should be raised to the peak of the flag mast for the remainder of the day and taken down at dusk unless it is lit.
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ANZAC APPEAL
Please help us continue to support veterans.
Your donation allows the RSL to provide services to the needs of our current and former service women and men, and their families.
Examples include:
Crisis accommodation for at risk veterans
Financial assistance for families in need - grocery vouchers, bill payment
Health and wellbeing programs
Employment support
Assistance with accessing benefits and entitlements from military serviceThe Anzac Appeal donation portal is hosted by RSL Victoria and funds raised are shared back to the donors’ nominated state.
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Sports
In South Australia timings and playing of sporting activities and Two Up on Anzac Day are regulated by the ANZAC Day Commemoration Act 2005
Fixtures and timings will be advised when finalised - AFL, SANFL, Horse Racing.
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Adelaide Public Transport
Public transport arrangements and offers will be advised when finalised.
Resources
ADF Ceremonial Request form online and manual application
If you have a family member with Active Service in the Australian military you may be interested in adding their profile to the Virtual War Memorial Australia website.
ANZAC APPEAL
RSL Veterans Services relies upon public donations to continue assisting veterans, their families and Defence personnel with advocacy, emergency accommodation, bill payment, grocery vouchers and wellbeing programs .