Marching into ANZAC Day: A Family Affair
How to celebrate ANZAC Day 2024 with Kids
Wondering where to take the kids to commemorate this year’s Anzac Day? As Aussies all over the country prepare to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing in Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, we’ve pulled together a list of the family friendly events where you and your brood can join in remembering the spirit of the Anzacs – their courage, mateship and sacrifice.
🎖️ Anzac Day Dawn Service
One of the most important events on Anzac Day, the Dawn Service sees people from all over Sydney gather together to pay their respects to those who have fallen. Anzac Day Sydney commemorations begin at 4.20am with the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph of Martin Place. After the Catafalque Party and Band March at 4.20am, the ceremony begins and runs through to 9 am.
Anzac Day commemorations are scheduled as follows:
- Dawn Service commencing at 4.30am: Laying wreaths, marches and commemorative services at Martin Place.
- Anzac Day March commencing at 9am: Corner of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, walking past the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park (see more details below)
Date: 25 April, from 4.20am
Location: Martin Place, Sydney CBD
More info: ANZAC Day Dawn Service RSL
🎖️ Anzac Day Parade
The Anzac Day March begins at 9am at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, finishing at Liverpool Street at approximately 12.30pm. Following the March, a commemoration service is held next to The Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South at 12.30pm.
Date: 25 April, 9am
Location: Corner of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, walking past the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park.
More info: Anzac Day 2024 Sydney CBD March
🎖️ Anzac Day Bridge Climb
This special bridge climb event will take you to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dawn where you’ll be one of a small group of climbers to enjoy a special Anzac Day Dawn Service conducted by RSL LifeCare Veteran Services. Each ticket sold includes a $100 donation to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services with the funds donated going towards supporting veterans and their families.
Date: 25 April, the Anzac Day Dawn Climbs will be departing between 4.25am – 4.35am. The Dawn Service will take place just before sunrise at approximately 6.05am
Location: Sydney Harbour Bridge
More info: Anzac Day Bridge Climb
🎖️ Anzac Day Memorial Highlights Tours
Heading into the Sydney CBD for Anzac Day? Join one of the free, special ANZAC Memorial Highlights Tours running throughout the afternoon at the ANZAC Memorial.
Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the history and symbolism behind the Memorial, including the Memorial’s architectural design that dates back to the 1930s and the more recent award-winning Centenary Extension that commemorates over 100 years of service.
The tours are free and take place every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10.30am and Saturdays at 1pm, departing from the Anzac Memorial Shop near the Western Entrance. Bookings are recommended.
Can’t make it on Anzac Day – from 1 May 2024, Highlights Tours will take place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10am and Saturdays at 1pm.
Please note that this tour requires the ability to climb multiple flights of stairs.
Date: Throughout the year
Location: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney CBD
More info: www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/special-free-anzac-day-tours
🎖️ Free Poppy Making Workshop
Get your little ones involved and take part in creating a ‘field of poppies’ these school holidays at The Rocks Discovery Museum! These school holidays your family can explore The Rocks Discovery Museum and take part in a poppy making workshop to honour the ANZAC’s.
- Learn about the use of the red poppy to commemorate ANZAC Day and other days of remembrance for our soldiers.
- Learn the history and heritage of the area.
- Commemorate Australian servicemen and women and their contribution to Australia.
Once finished, your poppy can be placed under your favourite artwork at the Gallipoli Art Prize exhibition from Thursday 18 April. Click here or read below to find our more about the Gallipoli Art Prize.
Date: 11am – 1pm, 15 – 19 & 22 – 26 April (excluding Thur 25 April)
Location: Kendall Lane, The Rocks
More info: theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/free-poppy-making-workshop/
🎖️Gallipoli Art Prize
Now in its 19th year, The Gallipoli Art Prize invites artists to respond to the broad themes of loyalty, respect, love of country, courage and comradeship. The $20,000 prize money is awarded to the artist who best depicts these special qualities. While many of the artworks reference WWI, others relate to more contemporary conflicts and universal themes such as Lori Pensini’s ‘Weeping Woman’ that the artist describes as “an emotional response to the discord in the world right now” and Luke Cornish’s ‘The Pity of War’ referencing the “universality of maternal grief”. Many of the finalists have taken inspiration for their works from relatives who have served in the armed forces.
Artworks will be open to the public 10am – 4pm everyday from 18 April – 12 May, with the official opening and announcement of the winner on 17 April.
When: 6-8 Atherden Street, The Rocks
Where: 10am – 4pm, 18 April – 12 May
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/gallipoli-art-prize/
🎖️ RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Exhibition
The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration was first held in 1953, co-hosted by RSL NSW and the Department of Education. Over the years the service has expanded to Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW. The service aims to educate primary and secondary school students about Australia’s military history, whilst paying respect to the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women of the Australian Defence Force.
To mark the 70th Anniversary of this service in 2023, RSL NSW, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW launched an art competition to NSW school students. The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Art Exhibition showcases the finalists’ artwork in the 2024 art competition, with entries ranging from Year 4 to Year 9 students across NSW.
The exhibition is located in the Memorial’s Auditorium on Lower Ground level, with the Memorial open every day, 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.
Please note that access to the exhibition is dependent on the auditorium’s availability, so we encourage you to call the Memorial in advance on (02) 8262 2900.
For more information on the Art Competition and how students can enter the 2024 competition please visit www.rslnsw.org.au/artcompetition
When: 3 April — 30 April 2024
Where: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney
More info: rslnsw.org.au/artcompetition/
(Image courtesy of Inner West Council / Fiora Sacco)
🎖️ Balmain Dawn Service
Unveiled on Sunday 23 April 1916 – with the First World War (or The Great War as it was then known) still raging in Europe, and before the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, the Balmain War Memorial has a venerable history. During the First World War, close to 5,000 men from Balmain enlisted – this was covered just about all of those eligible in the precinct. The memorial initially commemorated the local men who had died in the Dardanelles campaign. The 38 local men who perished on Turkish shores have their names on four marble tablets, one on each side of the monument. Since then, new names were added from later wars.
Inner West Council in conjunction with the Balmain Rozelle RSL Sub Branch will be hosting an Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Balmain War Memorial, Loyalty Square Balmain.
When: 25 April, 6am sharp, includes catafalque party, laying of wreaths and a guest speaker
Where: Balmain War Memorial, Loyalty Square Balmain
More info: theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/anzac-day-balmain-service/
🎖️ Ashfield Commemorative Service
Want to stay local? The Ashfield RSL Sub-brand will be hosting a pre-Anzac Day service at Ashfield Park.
When: Sunday 21 April, 10am for a 10.15am start
Where: The Obelisk in Ashfield Park, corner Parramatta Road and Orpington Street, Ashfield. 10am for a 10.15am start. Note: In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Waratah Room at Ashfield RSL.
More info: theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/anzac-day-ashfield-service/
🎖️ Anzac Day at The Australian Heritage Hotel
After dawn services in the CBD, The Rocks is hosting a number of ANZAC Day events including live music, BBQs, Anzac brekkies (and bikkies), marching bands and more. The Australian Heritage Hotel – one of the oldest pubs in Sydney – is amongst those commemorating the occasion.
Open from 7am, The Australian Heritage Hotel will be serving up delicious bacon and egg rolls from their coffee cart to fuel early day Anzac Day revellers for the day’s festivities ahead. For late risers, there’s an all-day party with outdoor bars and food stalls serving up mouth-watering eats and thirst-quenching drinks.
Live music will start from 10am, followed by their annual dose of traditional two-up action on Cumberland Street from midday.
When: 25 April, from 7am
Where: The Australian Heritage Hotel, 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks
More info: theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/australian-heritage-hotel-anzac-day/
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How are you celebrating ANZAC Day this year? Leave a comment below and let us know how your family are planning to mark this special occasion.
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