ANZAC Day is a solemn day of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for Australians. 2019 marks the 104th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, and a range of commemorative services, parades and ceremonies will be held across Perth on April 25th - providing locals and visitors alike the chance to reflect, respect and remember Australia’s wartime veterans.
Kings Park ANZAC Sunset and Dawn Services
In the lead up to the 2019 ANZAC Day commemorations, this year’s Sunset Service at Kings Park will be held on April 24th from 5pm – 5:30pm. The intimate service will focus on global contemporary conflicts and will include a wreath laying ceremony. It will be conducted around the Flame of Remembrance at the State War Memorial Precinct.
Kings Park’s annual RSLWA dawn service will be conducted at the State War Memorial on Fraser Avenue at 6am. This year, the service will be screened on six large screens around the commemorative site, ensuring good viewing of the service is accessible to all. Attendants are advised to arrive from 5am onwards and to bring a torch, warm clothing and food and drink. There are multiple events occurring after the service, including a Jewish War Memorial Service from 7am, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service at 7:30am and a Haka for Life immediately following the service. There will be a free shuttle bus from the Perth Busport to Kings Park on the day.
[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ess_grid_gal="" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2019/04/state_war_memorial_d_blumer66256250360.jpg|Kings Park"]
ANZAC Day March in the Perth CBD
The annual ANZAC Day parade will start on the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace at 9am. The parade’s returning servicemen will be followed by a series of veteran-carrying vehicles, the Ex-Services Unit, corps and regimental associations before the march disperses at Langley Park. The parade will be followed by a sausage sizzle provided by the Salvation Army.
ANZAC Commemorative Service in the Perth CBD
The 2019 ANZAC Day Commemorative Service will be held at the Perth Concert Hall and will feature a musical program from the Salvation Army Perth Fortress Band, the Perth Modern School Chamber Choir and the Perth Modern School Alumni Singers. The moving service will be followed by tea and coffee facilities and a brilliant view of the ANZAC Day March passing through St Georges Terrace. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend, however seat reservations are highly recommended. To reserve your seat, click here.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ess_grid_gal="" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2019/04/Anzac-1200x510.jpg|City of Joondalup,https://media.localista.com.au/2019/04/AnzacDay.jpg|Rottnest Fast Ferries"]
ANZAC Day in Albany
Albany was the final departure point for the first fleet of ANZAC troops in 1914, and as such, Albany’s dawn service is one of Australia’s most iconic commemorative services. This year, it will be live streamed through the National ANZAC Centre’s Facebook page. Shuttle buses to the dawn service will depart from the Albany Boat Shed and Middleton Beach from 3am, and the service will take place under the Desert Mounted Corp Memorial, overlooking the harbor where the ANZAC fleets departed more than a century ago. The Albany RSL will host a traditional Gunfire Breakfast at the Albany Boatshed immediately following the service. See more information about ANZAC Day in Albany here.
While you’re in Albany, be sure to visit the National ANZAC Centre, which was recently ranked the Number 1 Museum in Australia by TripAdvisor, and utilises touch screens, audio technology and interactive media to foster a personal connection between visitors and veterans. Another Albany attraction of note is the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour art installation. Closing on April 28th, more than 140,000 people have already visited the exhibition’s 16,000 glowing spheres honouring peace and reconciliation in post-war society.
City of Joondalup ANZAC Dawn Service
The City of Joondalup won the RSLWA’s ANZAC Day award for its 2018 Dawn Service, and this year, the service will return in honour of Australia’s fallen soldiers. The service commences at 6am at the Central Park War Memorial on Grand Boulevard, and will be followed with tea, coffee and ANZAC biscuits; courtesy of the City of Joondalup. Whilst road closures will apply between 5 and 7:30am, there will be plenty of parking available at the nearby Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre.
[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ess_grid_gal="" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2019/04/AJ6C9446_clip_media_motion_0.jpg|City of Fremantle"]
ANZAC Day on Rottnest
Beginning at 6am, the Rottnest ANZAC Day service is followed by a complimentary breakfast in the Settlement Mall, free ANZAC-themed activities for the kids and interactive events including Pioneers & Prisoners, Meet the Quokkas and Whitecaps & Wilderness walking tours. Early morning ferries are available from 4.45am with SeaLink, the Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast Ferries for ANZAC Day. All ferry services offer free same-day return trips for current and ex-servicemen.
City of Fremantle ANZAC Memorial Ceremony
As Fremantle was one of the final ports for many departing soldiers, the city of Fremantle is an extremely unique location to honour the memories of those who lost their lives at war. This year, the Fremantle Dawn Service commences at 5:50am at Monument Hill and will feature a live broadcast further down High Street so all attendees can view the service. A North Fremantle commemorative service will also take place at 9am, before a parade along the Esplanade begins at 10am. The parade will conclude at the Esplanade Reserve with a closing ceremony at 11am. There will be free public transport for anyone wearing military medals and Transperth will provide free shuttle buses from Fremantle Station to Monument hill from 4:30am onwards.
Image credit: Kings Park - BGPA, Fremantle - City of Fremantle, City of Joondalup - City of Joondalup, Rottnest - Rottnest Fast Ferries.
View more ANZAC Day commemorations this year below.
