Anzac Day in Newcastle

The traditional Anzac ideals of courage endurance and mateship are still relevant today, established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 killed or subsequently died of wounds or disease.

The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.

In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Prime Minister, George Pearce.

By the 1920s, Anzac Day ceremonies were held throughout Australia. All States had designated Anzac Day as a public holiday. In the 1940s, Second World War veterans joined parades around the country. In the ensuing decades, returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, plus veterans from allied countries and peacekeepers, joined the parades.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of people attending the ceremonies fell as Australians questioned the relevance of Anzac Day. However, in the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in Anzac Day, with attendances, particularly by young people, increasing across Australia and with many making the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to attend the Dawn Service.

Information provided by the  Australian War Memorial.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

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  • Wednesday 25 April 2018
  • 5am - 6am
  • Camp Shortland, Newcastle Foreshore
  • Toilets: Nobbys SLSC, onsite event toilets
  • Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station, King Street parking station, Pitt Street Reserve Stockton Foreshore
  • Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
  • Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

ANZAC Day March

  • Wednesday 25 April 2018
  • 9am - 10am
  • Hunter Street Mall and King Street
  • Toilets: Corner Hunter and Perkins Streets
  • Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station and King Street parking station
  • Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
  • Public transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/ and more detail to come

 

United Commemoration Service

  • Wednesday 25 April 2018
  • 10am - 11am
  • Civic Park
  • Toilets: Civic Park and Cultural Centre
  • Parking: On-street and Gibson Street car park
  • Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
  • Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day

  • Wednesday 25 April 2018
  • 12noon - 4pm
  • Gun firing: 1pm and 3pm
  • Fort Scratchley
  • Toilets: Within Fort Scratchley
  • Parking: On-street, Horseshoe Beach car park, Nobbys car park 1 and 2
  • Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

 

Anzac Field of Remembrance

Shadows of Sacrifice

Local services Wednesday April 25

Hamilton Anzac march and dawn service - Gregson Park

  • 5am  - March forms up near Gregson Park cannons
  • 5.20am - March steps off proceeds along Steel St side of park before turning right near corner of Tudor Street
  • 5.30am - Dawn service begins at Gregson Park
  • 6.15am - Breakfast is available at Hamilton Public School across Tudor Street from Gregson Park. Provided by Hamilton Public School P&C Association.


Merewether Dawn Service and sub-branch brekkie - Townson Oval (Mitchell Park)

  • 6.30am - Service begins at World War One memorial gates on the corner of Robert and Mitchell streets
  • 7.30am - RSL Sub-Branch Members only breakfast at South Newcastle Leagues Club, Llewellyn Street Merewether, open to the general public from 7.30am


Wallsend: March to Federal Park and dawn service

  • 5am - March commences in front of Wallsend Diggers, then into Nelson and Boscawen streets to Federal Park No. 1 Cenotaph, where the service and wreath laying will be held. 

  •  6.15am - March back to Wallsend Diggers.

 
Stockton Dawn Service, march and main service

  • 5am - Service personnel and veterans marching to the Cenotaph will meet at the Stockton RSL and Citizens Club. The march will start forming up from 5.15am, set off at 5.30am for the dawn service at the Cenotaph.
  • 8.30am - Main march: All marchers should assemble in the area surrounding the General Washington Hotel at the corner of Hunter and Mitchell streets from 8am.
  • The march will proceed along Mitchell Street to the Cenotaph. On arrival the Catafalque Party will form up on the Cenotaph, and the official Anzac service will begin at 8.45am, after which the contingent will return to Stockton RSL Club for the traditional get together and refreshments.


Lambton-New Lambton services and March 

  • 7am-7.30am - Short service and wreath laying at the New Lambton war memorial gates, corner Tauranga Road and Hobart Road
  • 8.45-9.15am - Short service and wreath laying at Lambton Park memorial gates, Morehead Street
  • 9.45am - Wreath laying and Last Post service at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre, Durham Road
  • 10.15am - March, forming up on Durham Road and proceeding via Karoola Road to the Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club. It is intended to halt the march 'off road' in the Club car park
  • 11am - Main service at Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club, Karoola Road, Lambton.


Beresfield Chapter of Maitland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Memorial Service

  • 5.30am - Form up at the Beresfield Community War Memorial at the corner of Anderson Drive and Allandale Street Beresfield.
  • March to the War Memorial is approximately 200 metres.
  • 5.40am - Dawn Service. In the event of inclement weather. the Service will take place at the Beresfield Crematorium on Anderson Drive. After the Service, Breakfast will be held at Beresfield Bowling Club.
  • 9am - Traditional Anzac Day entertainment commences. For further information please call 0249 336 90


Shortland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Service and brekkie

  • 5.50am - Anzac Day Service in our Memorial Garden 3 Conmurra Circuit Shortland
  • Breakfast after the Service for a gold coin donation.

[Article from Newcastle City Council]