PLAN YOUR ANZAC DAY
This ANZAC Day, Australians will gather to pay their respects to all who have served in defence of their country.
Since World War I, more than 1.5 million Australians have served or sacrificed in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Commemorating ANZAC Day is a small way to honour their invaluable contribution.
Here’s some essential information to help you plan your ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day services
Dawn Services, ANZAC Day marches and other ceremonies will be held Australia-wide on 25 April.
ANZAC Day services are free and open to everyone in the community.
ANZAC Day On the ABC
No matter where you are on ANZAC Day, you can commemorate with the ABC’s comprehensive broadcast coverage across ABC TV, ABC Radio, the ABC listen app and ABC iview.
Join or host a gunfire breakfast
The gunfire breakfast is a favourite ANZAC Day tradition held after the Dawn Service and before the ANZAC Day march. Veterans and – in many cases – members of the community are welcome. See if your local RSL Sub Branch is hosting a gunfire breakfast, or host your own.
Bake ANZAC biscuits
Whether you like them chewy or crunchy, it’s hard to beat freshly baked ANZAC biscuits. Give our tried-and-true recipe a go.
Donate to the ANZAC appeal
The ANZAC Appeal supports veterans and their families in times of need. To support the ANZAC Appeal, buy a badge from RSL Sub Branches and volunteers or through Woolworths and Officeworks stores nationally, or donate securely online.
ANZAC Day FAQs
An ANZAC Day Dawn Service starts at different times in different states. For more details, please click your state on the map.
Since WWI, ANZAC Day marches have allowed communities to come together and publicly acknowledge those who served or sacrificed.
ANZAC Day marches were traditionally for veterans who saw active service. However, many of today’s marches also include current Australian Defence Force personnel, cadets, relatives of current or former service people, veterans of Commonwealth or Allied forces, ex-service and emergency services groups, and youth or community groups.
Please be aware of any march guidelines, which outline who can march and vary for different events.
If you wish to march, you’ll likely need to register in advance. Generally, however, anyone can attend a march as a spectator without registering.
For details on a particular ANZAC Day march, please consult the RSL in your state or contact the nearest RSL Sub Branch.
If you or a late relative were awarded service medals, you’re encouraged to wear them (or replicas) at ANZAC Day commemorations – provided you follow the relevant protocols.
These are outlined in full at pmc.gov.au/publications/wearing-awards and rslaustralia.org/rsl-protocols, but you’ll find a quick summary below.
How to wear medals (or replicas)
If the medals were awarded to you
- Wear your medals/replicas on the left breast of your jacket, shirt or dress.
- You may also wear a deceased relative’s medals/replicas on the right breast (see more below).
If the medals were awarded to your late relative
- Wear the medals (or replicas) on the right breast of your jacket, shirt or dress.
- Only one relative of a deceased veteran may wear one full set of the veteran’s medals/replicas at any one time.
- It’s considered inappropriate to wear the medals/replicas of more than one deceased relative at one time.
Throughout the Commonwealth, the red poppy has long been associated with remembrance. Poppies are traditionally worn on Remembrance Day (11 November), and are often worn on ANZAC Day, in memory of the fallen.
Rosemary also symbolises remembrance and, being native to the Gallipoli peninsula, has special significance to ANZAC Day. Rosemary is often worn on ANZAC Day, and sometimes Remembrance Day, to honour those who served.
Poppies or rosemary sprigs are often distributed by RSL Sub Branches at commemorative services.
Yes. RSL Sub Branches are always looking for volunteers to help out – both on ANZAC Day and throughout the year. Find your nearest Sub Branch and get in touch.
