What’s open, what’s closed, dawn service times, schedules and more
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Roy Pearson, 99, was sitting in a wheelchair near the start of the Anzac Day march in Sydney’s city centre; He had slippers on his feet, medals on his chest, and a red poppy that his late wife had knitted as a buttonhole. As the military band warmed up, the World War II veteran smiled and talked about peace.
“War never solves anything,” said Pearson, who served as a machine gunner in the air force. “We need to wake up to ourselves.”
Pearson was one of thousands of people who gathered at ceremonies across the country on Saturday to remember Australians who served and died for their country. The day was marked with music and banners, heartfelt greetings, tears, hymn-singing and wreath-laying, as well as loud booing from some as Aboriginal people recognized the Land.
Sydney police confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested for “alleged disturbing conduct” and others were removed from a dawn service at Martin Place.
Betty Niblett, a 92-year-old veteran of the Royal Australian Women’s Corps, said she was pleased to see young people joining the defense forces and was sad that national service was no longer available.
“The world is turned upside down, isn’t it?” he said. “You have to be prepared. Don’t get caught with your pants down.”
By 4:20 a.m., large crowds had gathered in the dark for the dawn ceremony at the Martin Place Cenotaph, wearing everything from carefully ironed uniforms to hoodies. A camera drone winked over the proceedings, with Prime Minister Chris Minns, opposition leader Kellie Sloane, federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Governor Margaret Beazley and RSL acting chairman Brigadier Vincent Williams (retired) among the attendees.
“It’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” said Vietnam veteran John Murray, who traveled from Brisbane to see what he believes is the largest dawn ceremony in Australia. Murray, the son of the Mouse of Tobruk, wore a blue RAAF cap and had a number of medals pinned to his jacket, including the British Empire Medal for services in medical evacuation.
“They do it very well here,” he said about the ceremony.
The one-minute silence was solemn and uninterrupted. But earlier, a group of people in the crowd had booed loudly and repeatedly during Uncle Ray Minniecon’s Country Reception.
Minniecon, whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade, continued despite the interruption and was applauded when he finished.
“We have been experiencing this type of racism for over 200 years,” he told the media after the ceremony. “One of the questions in our minds is: What crime did we commit to attract this kind of racism?”
In a statement, NSW Police said officers responded to an alleged disturbance and arrested a 24-year-old man.
Welcome to country addresses perth and Melbourne were also disrupted. At the Temple of Remembrance in Melbourne, a small group of men booed again when Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner invoked the Benimurong people of the eastern Kulin nation at the beginning of her speech. Last year, a dawn Welcome to Country ceremony in Melbourne was booed by members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network.
The official reaction was fast and furious. Defense Minister Richard Marles described the booing as “deeply disappointing”.
“Recognition of the country is simply an act of respect and what characterizes today is that it is a day of respect,” Marles told ABC TV. Premier Chris Minns said he, too, was disappointed by the actions of a small number of people.
“While I’ve never heard booing like this at a dawn service before, I’ve also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud like they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon,” Minns said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen said the booing was “disrespectful to all those who fought and died for our freedom” and that “politicizing this sacred day is a bastard”.
On Saturday morning, Bec Freedom, organizer of the anti-immigration March for Australia movement, posted “Sydney booed” on Telegram, followed by a greeting emoji.
For Australia, it is closely linked to the month of March. National Socialist Network claiming dissolution To avoid being banned as a hate group.
Emile Tauati, a warrant officer in the Navy, said everyone is entitled to their own opinion but “I believe there is a time and a place.” Tauati woke up at 2am to attend the “very moving” ceremony, his first in his hometown of Sydney after 16 years of military service. In previous years he was either on base or away at sea.
Paul Simpfendorfer, an army warrant officer most recently deployed to South Sudan, said he was there to “remember the people I served with,” some of whom died in operations and others in training.
“For me, it’s about paying homage to my ancestors,” Simpfendorfer said. For Jermia Nona, who served in the air force for three years, Anzac Day fosters a sense of camaraderie between different parts of the defense force. “This is where we will all come together and remember.”
Stacey Nicholson attended her first ceremony with her husband and two-year-old son Bodhi, who was sucking on a pacifier while playing with a souvenir rosemary sprig.
“I think it’s always important to honor our history,” said Nicholson. “We are very, very lucky in the life we have.”
Where is Anzac Day commemorated in Sydney?
Major official commemorations are held at the Martin Place Cenotaph and near the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.
NSW will have a public holiday on Monday, April 27, as it falls on the April 25 weekend this year. The Monday bank holiday is part of a two-year trial that will also include Anzac Day falling on a Sunday in 2027.
The dawn service was followed by a march along Elizabeth Street at 9am, before a memorial service at the Pool of Remembrance near the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park at 12.30pm. A sunset ceremony will be held at Martin Place Cenotaph at 17:00.
Other social events are also held Statewide by RSL sub-branches. In Parramatta, the march gathered at the town hall at 4am and progressed towards Prince Alfred Square before the dawn service at 4.30am.
In Penrith, the dawn service gathered outside the Penrith RSL club before a silent march to Memory Park.
The Newcastle dawn ceremony began at Camp Shortland on Nobbys Beach at 5am, followed by a commemoration ceremony at 9.15am, which included a march down Perkins Street to Civic Park and an RAAF flyover at the Civic Park Cenotaph at 10am.
The Wollongong dawn service was held at the MacCabe Park Cenotaph in Church Street, also at 5am, followed by a march down Crown Street at 10am.
How to get around the city on Anzac Day?
Major roads are closed throughout the day and public transport is encouraged. Travel is free for veterans and their families who are currently serving ADF personnel. Eligibility applies to individuals who are in uniform, wear medals, or have proof of military service.
There are additional services to Martin Place, but light rail services will stop between 12.30 and 13.30. City buses can pass through different routes and stops.
What is open and closed on Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is a restricted trading day. Major retailers, including supermarkets and department stores, will be closed all day.
Small shops, pharmacies, newsagents, service stations, cafes, takeaways and licensed venues can be opened. Monday’s public holiday is not a restricted trading day.
Where can I play two-up?
Chances are if a pub is open on Anzac Day you can play a game for two there. This is one of the three days of the year when the First World War Diggers game is allowed to be played.
Venues do not need a permit, but they must ensure that the game is played at their venue. traditional format. Liquor and Gambling NSW inspectors will check.
with Holly Thompson
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Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
