ANZAC DAY
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, several options are being considered for how ANZAC Day may be commemorated in 2021. Chairman's Facebook Video Message ANZAC 2021
Adelaide Dawn Service
Details for the Adelaide Dawn Service will be released closer to ANZAC Day. In the event that people wish to commemorate privately a template for conducting a personalised service is included further below on this page.
Regional & Metropolitan Services
Lists of services will be available to download closer to ANZAC Day. To notify a planned service complete and submit the ANZAC Activities Form 2021
ANZAC Day March
Chairman's Facebook Video Message ANZAC 2021
Subject to Covid-19 regulations, the Adelaide ANZAC Day March traditionally commences at 9.30am from North Terrace, Adelaide, from the SA National War Memorial, and turns right onto King William Road. The march concludes at the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, North Adelaide. Government regulations will determine the likelihood of the March taking place and, if permitted, the format and gathering limitations.
It is important to note that the ANZAC Day March in Adelaide is a commemorative march and not a parade. Statement of the principles of the Adelaide ANZAC Day March includes information for descendants of deceased former members of Australian, New Zealand and allied/coalition forces.
Veterans, ex-service personnel, allies and Australian Defence Force units participate in the ANZAC Day March. The event is televised live on ABC Television.
Cross of Sacrifice Service
A Remembrance Service is held at the Cross of Sacrifice in Pennington Gardens, North Adelaide, from approximately 11.30am, immediately after the ANZAC Day March concludes.
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 general public are welcome to attend this service.
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.
Consider:
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Light Up the Dawn commemoration from your own driveway, with neighbours and the RSL. For a guide to format your own service at home see below. Images for public use in social media can be downloaded at bit.ly/3aSuhKr
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Remembering from within your home with Light Up the Dawn, media broadcasts and online coverage.
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Visiting a local war memorial at any time of the day, other than dawn, within exercise/recreation and social distancing conditions
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Visit Virtual War Memorial Australia. Register and contribute pictures and information on your relatives who served Australia on active service.
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ANZAC REQUIEM
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.
Play The Last Post
Minute of Silence
Play Rouse
Recite: Lest We Forget
Play New Zealand National Anthem
Play Australian National Anthem
Conclusion
You may add prayers, hymns, readings and personal content to reflect your beliefs. Consider reciting the ANZAC Requiem. Bugle calls and music thanks to www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au Please use volume levels for your own use, that are respectful to neighbours.
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
ADF CEREMONIAL REQUEST FORM
ADF ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY REQUEST FORM
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.
RSL Medal Policy Guide
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. You can donate securely online by clicking here: ANZAC APPEAL DONATION
