An Anzac Day dawn service at Wollongong’s MacCabe Park cenotaph. Photo: NEG Photography.
Illawarra residents have been encouraged to get out of bed early on Saturday and join the thousands who traditionally start Anzac Day at a dawn service.
City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch president John Sperring said last year’s dawn service was well attended but urged the community to rally around Australia’s most significant day of remembrance.
“There is nothing that makes me more proud to be Australian to see families turn out in droves and share in the commemorative events,” he said.
“Anzac Day is an opportunity to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans which has shaped our country that we love and enjoy today.”
25 April 2026 marks the 111th anniversary of the start of the first major military campaign fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I.
Commemorative events on the day provide an opportunity for the community to honour all who have served Australia and other nations, in peacetime and in conflicts, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Most Illawarra RSL sub-Branches conduct their own dawn service. The City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch dawn service will be held at the Wollongong Cenotaph, on Church Street on the eastern edge of MacCabe Park, starting at 5 am sharp.
John said members of the public were most welcome to attend and should be in attendance no later than 4:50 am for the start of the moving service.
The Wollongong Anzac Day march will leave Crown Street Mall at 10 am, led by vintage cars and other vehicles carrying disabled veterans.
Marchers including Australian Defence Force personnel, members of Illawarra’s RSL sub-Branches, representatives of other ex-service organisations and veterans’ groups, contingents representing three regional Defence Cadet units and community organisations will follow into Kembla Street and turn right into Burelli Street.
John encouraged spectators to line the route to show their support for local veterans.
Marches and services will be held from the north of the Illawarra to the south. Here’s your guide.
Wollongong
- Wollongong dawn service: 5 am, MacCabe Park Cenotaph, Church Street
- City of Wollongong march: 10 am from Crown Street Mall
- Corrimal march: 5:25 am, start from Corrimal RSL on Princes Highway then towards Anzac Grove on Railway Street
- Woonona dawn service: 5:30 am, Woonona Bulli RSL Club, 455-459 Princes Highway
- Helensburgh dawn service: 5:45 am, Charles Harper Park Memorial
- Austinmer dawn service: 6 am, Cenotaph at Austinmer Beach, Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Corrimal dawn service: 6 am, Anzac Grove at Memorial Park, Railway Street
- Dapto dawn service: 6 am, Dapto Memorial next to Dapto Railway Station, Station Street
- Port Kembla dawn service: 6 am, Port Kembla memorial, corner Allan Street and Military Road
- Thirroul dawn service: 6 am, Cenotaph in William Woodward Memorial Park, Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Coledale dawn service: 6 am, Coledale RSL Club, 731 Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Windang Club march and memorial service: Assemble at 7:30 am at Lake Illawarra Hotel for 7:45 am march to Club Windang cenotaph, Judbooley Parade
- Stanwell Tops Memorial Service: 10 am, Stanwell Tops Memorial Park, Stonehaven Road.
Shellharbour
- Shellharbour City Memorial: 7:35 to 8:30 am, Harrison Park, Shellharbour City Centre. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) will conduct a flyover during the service. The service will also be available via livestream on the Shellharbour City Council Facebook page
- Warilla RSL sub-branch dawn service: 6 am, war memorial in Caroline Chisholm Park, Addison Street, Shellharbour Village
- Albion Park RSL sub-Branch march and service: 4:20 am march, Albion Park RSL followed by dawn service at 4:30 am. Breakfast at the club from 5 to 6 am; a bus to the Shellharbour City Anzac service will leave at 7 am
- Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club march and service: 9:45 am, march starts at main entrance to carpark in Jason Avenue, Barrack Heights, followed by 10 am service at Warilla Bowls and Recreation cenotaph.
Kiama
- Kiama dawn service: 5:30 am at Blowhole Point, Kiama
- Kiama march and main service: Meet at Kiama Council chambers at 10:30 am for march along Terralong Street to the Memorial Arch in Hindmarsh Park for 10:45 am service
- Gerringong dawn service: 6 am, memorial at Belinda Street and Tasman Drive.
If you can’t make it to a dawn service or march, the RSL has other suggestions on how you can honour the nation’s service men and women.
