ANZAC DAY
On 25 April we will remember them, lest we forget.
Australian and New Zealand troops (the ANZACs) landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915 where they, along with other Commonwealth Forces, held ground against almost impossible odds for eight months, against a Turkish force determined to defend its homeland. Both sides suffered horrendous casualties.
But amongst the ravines and gullies of that rugged battleground, the Anzac spirit was formed. The Anzac spirit has become the benchmark for standards of courage, mateship and determination.
Initially, Anzac Day commemorated those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Great War. However, in the years since WWI, Australian troops have answered the call in conflicts across the globe, and the date has become the day on which the nation remembers all those who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all the conflicts that Australia has endured.
Anzac Day 2024
At the Australian War Memorial
On Thursday 25 April 2024, the Australian War Memorial will mark the Gallipoli landings in 1915, as well as commemorating all Australians who have served and died in military operations.
The 2024 Anzac Day commemorative program includes:
Dawn Service at 5.30 am
RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March at 9.30 am
Last Post Ceremony at 4.30 pm
RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March
This Anzac Day, the RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March will return to the Parade Ground of the Memorial.
The Veterans’ March will commence from Anzac Parade at 9.30 am and will be followed by the Anzac Day address delivered by Afghanistan veteran Damien Thomlinson.
General public are encouraged to attend and ticketing is not required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – ANZAC DAY VETERANS’ MARCH
How can I register to march?
Registration to participate in the Veterans' March closed on Monday 15 April. Should you wish to participate, please contact rsvp@awm.gov.au or call 02 6206 9813 for consideration. Eligibility to march is outlined in the guidelines.
I am marching with a registered contingent. When, where and how do we form up on Anzac Day?
Contingents will be asked to arrive from 8.30 am to form up on Anzac Parade. Staff and volunteers will be stationed along Anzac Parade to assist contingents to take position in the march order by 9 am. To understand where your contingent may be positioned, you can view the order of precedence for the Veterans’ March here. The final march order will be advised by the Chief Marshal via email to registered participants prior to the day and will be published on the Memorial website. The contingent leader is requested to organise their group in files by 9.15 am, the size of your contingent will dictate the number of files (up to a maximum of four files for contingents larger than 45).
I registered as an individual. Where and when do I form up on Anzac Day?
Individual participants who have registered will be advised where to march prior to the date. They will be required to arrive on Anzac Parade from 8.30 am, to be in position by 9 am. If this information has not been received, staff will be stationed along Anzac Parade to assist individuals to take position in the march order. For those individuals who are eligible to march as relatives of an Australian Defence Force, Commonwealth or Allied Force veteran, they will march with the family contingent following the veteran contingents.
Do I need to check in on arrival?
Yes, for registered contingents, the contingent leader or main point of contact needs to check in with a member of staff so that they can inform the Chief Marshal of your contingent’s attendance and final numbers. Staff will be stationed along Anzac Parade to check in contingents. Individual participants will also be asked to check in with a member of staff on arrival.
What is the latest time we can check in to march?
To ensure the Veterans’ March runs smoothly and safely, marching contingents and individuals are asked to arrive for check in from 8.30 am, to be in position by 9 am.
What should I wear?
The march is conducted outdoors, dress to weather conditions. Business/smart attire or appropriate service dress is suggested.
Can I film or photograph the march as a participant?
Out of respect for the occasion, we ask that participants do not film or photograph proceedings while marching. Family or friends are welcome to capture your participation as spectators.
How can we get to and from the Veterans’ March?
Public transport: The Memorial and Transport Canberra will be providing free bus services to the Veterans’ March.
Information on Memorial shuttle services will be available on the Memorial’s website
For Transport Canberra information please visit www.transport.act.gov.au or call 13 17 10
Accessible parking: There will be limited parking onsite for the use of mobility impaired visitors only, which will be filled on a first-come first-served basis in the western car park (adjacent to Campbell High School). Vehicles displaying a government issued disability parking permit will be granted access to park, and once full, vehicles can access to drop off and relocate their car, and pick up following the Veterans’ March.
Road closures: Road closures will be in effect from approximately 7 pm on Wednesday 24 April until no later than 6 pm on Thursday 25 April:
Traffic from Limestone and Fairbairn Avenue diverts onto Treloar Crescent
Anzac Parade will be closed from Constitution Avenue and at the Blamey Crescent and Currong Street intersection
What accommodation is nearby?
For more information regarding accommodation in Canberra, refer to visitcanberra.com.au
Can we book seating for spectators?
Tickets are not required for the Veterans’ March. Limited seating for spectators of the Veterans’ March will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, located on either side of the Parade Ground. Participating marchers will be directed to their allocated seating area at the base of the Parade Ground by staff and volunteers after they fall out.
Where is the best location to watch the Veterans’ March?
The march can be viewed via the tiered seating areas on either side of the Parade Ground. Staff and volunteers will be stationed throughout the event precinct to direct spectators.
What time will the Veterans’ March conclude?
The length of the march will be determined by the final number of registered contingents. Following the march, the Anzac Day Address will be delivered by Afghanistan veteran Damien Thomlinson. Proceedings are expected to conclude no later than 11 am.
How many members from one family can march in the family contingent?
Relatives of veterans are welcomed participants, as a contingent marching behind the veterans. One family member may represent a single veteran and march as part of the family contingent. It is recommended that this representative is clearly identifiable by their relatives’ medals which should be worn on their right breast. This indicates the awards are not their own. Medal groups should not be broken up and worn by several family members.
What is the minimum age for a carer assisting a family member?
A carer may accompany a veteran who is participating in the march (up to two per veteran marching). Carers must be over the age of 18 and physically capable of assisting the veteran who is marching should they require support.
Due to the number of participants and general safety, prams and strollers are not permitted in the march.
What is the minimum age for a child marching?
To ensure the safety of all participants, it is recommended that any young people marching as part of the family contingent should be high-school aged and capable of keeping pace with the march.
Is there accessible parking and seating available?
There will be limited parking onsite for the use of mobility impaired visitors only, which will be filled on a first-come first-served basis in the western car park (adjacent to Campbell High School). Vehicles displaying a government issued disability parking permit will be granted access to park, and once full, vehicles can access to drop off and relocate their car, and pick up following the Veterans’ March.
Limited accessible seating for spectators will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Note, there will not be seating available for march participants as contingents form up on Anzac Parade, however they will be directed to allocated seating after they have marched across the Parade Ground.
What is the distance we are required to march?
Some contingents may be required to march over approximately one kilometre. Note, there will not be seating available as contingents form up on Anzac Parade, however they will be directed to allocated seating after they have marched across the Parade Ground.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
The Veterans’ March is conducted outdoors, dress to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, the Veterans’ March will proceed as planned unless it is unsafe to do so.
For more information regarding Anzac Day commemorations at the Memorial, including the Dawn Service and Last Post Ceremony, visit www.awm.gov.au/anzac