The State RSL 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 24/4/24 to approximately 5.30am Anzac Day morning 25/4/24.

In doing so, the youth have created their own Anzac Day tradition. The evening Dedication Ceremony is attended by invited guests, youth group organisers and families. Just prior to dawn the youth guards step down and the Dawn Service follows. Young people from many organisations including Scouts Australia, Guides SA, Surf Lifesaving SA, SA State Emergency Service Cadets, SA Country Fire Service Cadets, St John Ambulance Cadets, Girls Brigade South Australia, Boys Brigade South Australia, Australian Army Cadets, Australian Airforce Cadets and Australian Navy Cadets participate in the vigil. The RSL SA Anzac Eve Youth Vigil Facebook contains many photographs of the Adelaide Youth Vigil.

The success of the Adelaide vigil is due to the organisers, volunteers, young people and sponsors. For more information contact: Youth.Vigil@rslsa.org.au

Adelaide    State National War Memorial 6:00pm 24/4 – 5.30am 25/4. Opening Ceremony from 7:25pm 24/4. Vince Scotland 0416 135 768, Youth.Vigil@rslsa.org.au

Vigils were also held in regional and metropolitan areas.

Gawler Pioneer Park, 6pm - 11pm 24/4. Colin Wardrop 0409 505 649; president@rslgawler.org.au

Gumeracha Oval, Albert St. 6pm 24/4 - 6am 25/4. 0413 868 452; huggins.alan@bigpond.com

Marion RSL, Norfolk Rd 8:30pm 24/4 – 5:30am 25/4. 0403081401; chere.maynard@defence.gov.au

Morphett Vale Memorial Gardens, Cnr Main South & Flaxmill Roads. 6:00pm 24/4 – 5:45am 25/4. Jarrad Kay 0433 793 347; MorphettVale@rslsa.org.au

Salisbury Memorial, Orange Ave. 00:00 - 6:00am 25/4.

Semaphore Memorial, Foreshore. 6:30pm - 9:00pm 24/4. 0409 697 298.