Last year’s Anzac Day dawn service at Wollongong’s MacCabe Park cenotaph. Photo: NEG Photography.
Dozens of events are planned throughout the Illawarra on Anzac Day to commemorate the anniversary of the start of the first major military campaign fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I.
Anzac Day commemorative events have been held on 25 April each year since 1916 to allow communities to honour all who have served Australia and other nations in war and peacetime, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. They became known as the Anzacs.
The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkiye out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8000 Australian soldiers were killed.
On Anzac Day, commemorative services are held at war memorials at dawn – the time of the original landing in Gallipoli.
Whether you live in Helensburgh or Gerringong, you’ll be able to find a service or march nearby.
Wollongong
- Wollongong City Anzac Day dawn service: 5 am, MacCabe Park Cenotaph, Church Street
- City of Wollongong march: 10 am, start from Crown Street Mall into Kembla Street, Burelli Street, Church Street to the Cenotaph
- Albion Park RSL: 4:20 am march followed by service at 4:30 am
- Corrimal RSL march: 5:25 am, start from Corrimal RSL Memorial Club towards Anzac Grove along Princes Highway
- Woonona-Bulli RSL Memorial Club: 5:30 am
- Stanwell Tops memorial service: 10 am, Stanwell Tops War Memorial Park, Stonehaven Road
- Helensburgh RSL: 5:45 am, Charles Harper Park Memorial
- Corrimal: 6 am, Anzac Grove, Memorial Park, Railway Street
- Coledale RSL: 6 am, Coledale RSL Club, Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Austinmer/Thirroul RSL: 6 am, cenotaph at Austinmer Beach, Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Thirroul: 6 am, cenotaph at William Woodward Memorial Park, Lawrence Hargrave Drive
- Port Kembla: 6 am, Port Kembla Memorial, corner Allan Street and Military Road
- Dapto: 6 am, Dapto War Memorial, Dapto Railway Station
- Windang Club Memorial Service: 7:45 am, Club Windang Cenotaph, Judbooley Parade. March assembles at 7:30 am at the Lake Illawarra Hotel to lead off at 7:45 am, proceeding to the club cenotaph for the service.
Crowds gather at Austinmer’s Anzac Day dawn service. Photo: Kirk Gilmour.
Shellharbour
- Shellharbour City Memorial, Harrison Park, Memorial Drive and Minga Avenue: 7:35 to 8:30 am. 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
- Albion Park RSL Club, Tongarra Road: Assemble for march at 4:20 am, service at 4:30 am. Free breakfast provided after the service
- Oak Flats Bowling Club: Free breakfast at 8 am for those attending and participating in the Anzac Day service; 8:45 am: Assemble in carpark at Aryes Lane and Kingston Street for 9 am march to club; 9:15 am service
- Shellharbour Village war memorial, Caroline Chisholm Park, Atchison Street: 6 am service.
Kiama
- Blowhole Point: 5 am dawn service
- Kiama: March, 10:30 am opposite the Old Council Chambers on Manning Street, into Terralong Street to the Memorial Arch for the service
- Kiama Bowling Club: 12:30 pm service
- Gerringong: 6 am service, eastern end of Belinda Street
- Gerringong Bowling Club: 11 am service
- Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club: 7:30 am service.
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