Skip to content
ANZAC DAY
RSL thanks those who observed commemorations in whichever method they chose to pay their respects. Although Anzac Day 2021 is past this page is being left in the context it conveyed prior to Anzac Day should RSLs, public or media wish to review or clarify its information.
ANZAC Day is observed annually on April 25th, the anniversary of the Dardanelles Campaign Landing in 1915, and traditionally includes commemorations across the country at dedicated war memorials, community precincts and RSL Sub-Branches. ANZAC Day is honoured with a national public holiday. Sunday 25th April 2021 is ANZAC Day and a public holiday is declared for Monday 26th April in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Public health is the prime consideration in this extraordinary time of world-wide COVID-19 health restrictions. Due to the uncertainty of what Covid-19 regulations may apply, limitations are being put in place for some activities.
Adelaide ANZAC Day Activities are not cancelled
Despite cancellation and restriction of some RSL Sub-Branch and community organisation run ANZAC commemorations, the Adelaide ANZAC Day Committee reinforces that cancellation is not the case in the Adelaide CBD and it is our intent to conduct the RSL Youth Vigil, Dawn Service, March and Service of Remembrance, with limitations to meet Covid-19 requirements.
A booking system, contact tracing records and audience controls apply for the Adelaide Dawn Service and Service of Remembrance. SA Police and security personnel will monitor and enforce this. The public are asked to be respectful and cooperative of these requests so as not to jeopardise the commemorations.
Young people from community groups maintain an overnight vigil at the SA National War Memorial. This year the activity has stricter controls and only immediate family members of participants are permitted to attend. Click here for more details.
Adelaide Dawn Service
Attendance at the Adelaide Dawn Service will be controlled by numbered bookings and contact tracing records. As at 21/4/21 all bookings have been issued and there are no further means of attendance without a ticket.
The Torrens Parade Ground is not available for public car parking. CBD streets and those surrounding the march route are subject to changed limits and vehicles in breach may be towed away.
In the event that people wish to commemorate privately with Light Up The Dawn a template for conducting a personalised service is included further below on this page.
Adelaide ANZAC Day March
Subject to Covid-19 regulations, the Adelaide ANZAC Day March traditionally commences at 9.30am from the SA National War Memorial, North Terrace, Adelaide, and moves west, turning right onto King William Road. The march concludes in the streets surrounding the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, North Adelaide.
This year the public are not invited to attend as March spectators or Descendants Group participants; only families of Marchers and veterans not marching will be permitted to watch. SA Police and security personnel will enforce this. Adelaide commemorative activities will be broadcast on radio and television by the ABC.
It is important to note that the ANZAC Day March in Adelaide is a commemorative march and not a parade. 2021 Statement of March Principles
Eligible veterans, ex-service personnel, allies and Australian Defence Force units may participate in the ANZAC Day March and contact tracing records will be required for all marchers. Pre-registration is NOT required, eligible marchers should turn up to their chosen assembly location and check-in. Participants are recommended to load the mySAGOV app onto their smart phones for smooth Covid QR check in. Veterans requiring mobility assistance may have a family member or friend to accompany them.
This year Descendants and Relatives are not permitted to take part due to the larger crowd risk and the requirement for all assembly areas to be used for veterans as a result of increased spacing.
The Torrens Parade Ground is not available for public car parking. CBD streets and those surrounding the march route are subject to changed limits and vehicles in breach may be towed away.
Service of Remembrance
A Service of Remembrance is held at the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, North Adelaide, immediately after the ANZAC Day March concludes. No time is specified for this commemoration to commence.
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 stands in gardens opposite St Peters Cathedral. The gardens contain the Cross of Sacrifice, a memorial to the men who died during the Great War (WWI) of 1914 – 1920. The foundation stone for the cross memorial was laid on August 4 1920. The memorial is 11.6m high, made of Tea Tree Gully stone, and on the face is the Crusader’s Sword. At the far end of the garden is the Stone of Remembrance with engraving that states ‘Their Name Liveth For Evermore’. This stone was laid in 1923 and is made of Palmer marble. An Ataturk Tribute and Eternal Flame also feature in the garden.
The Torrens Parade Ground is not available for public car parking. CBD streets and those surrounding the march route are subject to changed limits and vehicles in breach may be towed away.
RSL SA is pleased to announce the highly anticipated Anzac on Torrens is going ahead on Anzac Day. This traditional event is an opportunity to catch up with mates and enjoy a yarn, refreshments and food. It will conform to a COVID Safe Plan, with QR code/manual check-in, gathering and spacing controls.
Time: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm. Open to veterans, families, serving ADF. Entry from Victoria Drive.
Torrens Parade Ground and the Drill Hall will be utilised and will offer beer, mixed drinks, soft drink, water, BBQ sausages, pies and pasties for purchase and the traditional Two-Up School – 11:30 to 12:30 in the Drill Hall. Click here for more information.
Regional & Metropolitan Services
A list of ANZAC Day services will NOT be made available this year due to cancellation of planned events, venue changes, public attendance limitations and the uncertainty of meeting Covid requirements and crowd management by volunteer groups with finite resources and budgets. Check with local organisers of those services which are proceeding to determine if public attendance is permitted. Awareness of a traditionally public event does not imply public attendance this year.
Commemorating Privately
RSL SA regrettably announced the cancellation of the public 2020 Adelaide ANZAC Day activities. As a result of these restrictions the RSL encouraged people to Light Up the Dawn and pay respects differently. This took several forms including from homes, driveways and a balconies. People spread the word and took it to their neighbourhoods.
Thank you to Australia for embracing Light Up The Dawn with such respect and magnitude. We were separate but united to remember generations of service, sacrifice and the servicewomen and servicemen serving in our name now.
Remembrance of service and sacrifice are important to our society. You may choose to pay respects in your own personal way.
-
Light Up the Dawn commemoration from your own home or with neighbours. Listen and watch media broadcasts and online coverage. For a guide to format your own service at home see below. Light Up The Dawn Supporter Merchandise is now available for individual and neighbourhood involvement.
-
Visiting a local war memorial at any time of the day, other than dawn, within exercise/recreation and social distancing conditions.
-
Support a local RSL by visiting during the day
-
Visit Virtual War Memorial Australia. Register and contribute pictures and information on your relatives who served Australia on active service.
Guide for a Home Service
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 our nation.
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.
Minute of Silence
Recite: Lest We Forget
Conclusion
You may add prayers, hymns, readings and personal content to reflect your beliefs. Consider reciting the ANZAC Requiem. Bugle calls and music are thanks to www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au Please use volume levels for your own use, that are respectful to neighbours.
Sport
AFL Port Adelaide v St Kilda on ANZAC 
Day at Adelaide Oval. The Peter Badcoe VC Medal will be awarded to the player who best displays the ANZAC Spirit.
SANFL Woodville-West Torrens v North Adelaide on ANZAC Day at Woodville Oval
Horse Racing is at Gawler Racecourse on ANZAC Day. Veterans' Race Day, Wednesday 28th April at Balaklava.
State President's Message: The State Branch and some other Sub-Branches are receiving complaints from the public in regard to the playing of junior sport on ANZAC morning. Some people are becoming rather passionate about this.
Let us put this into perspective.
The ANZAC Day Commemoration Act 2005 (South Australia) allows for public sporting events and entertainment to commence before noon on ANZAC Day on the proviso that there is no entry charge ie. Junior sports.
If families have attended a Dawn Service or Commemorated with Light Up The Dawn, then respects have been paid. The rest of the day should have some joy in it. I believe that if the women and men we remember on this significant day were here, they would encourage enjoyment after respects have been paid and remembrance has been observed.
We have been working with the State Government for clarification over time and will continue to pursue this to obtain a satisfactory result for all.
CHERYL CATES
RSL State President
Australian Defence Force
Ceremonial participation by the ADF is subject to operational requirements, the number of taskings requested and availability of personnel. Sufficient notice needs to be applied to requests and must use the relevant forms
Australian Flag Protocols
Click here for the Flag Protocols Guide issued by the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet
Medal Compliance
RSL SA has a strict code of compliance that members are expected to follow when wearing medals. The guide below gives details on this.
ANZAC APPEAL
To enable the RSL to continue assisting veterans, families and Defence personnel with advocacy, emergency accommodation, bill payment, grocery vouchers and wellbeing programs we rely upon public donations. Donate securely online: ANZAC APPEAL DONATION
We thank the businesses, RSLs and volunteers that collect for the ANZAC Appeal.
Scroll To Top
