Pay your respects at these ANZAC Day Services and Marches
Commemorated on April 25th, ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first key military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, and is a day when Australia comes together to recognise all those who have served our nation and pay tribute to the sacrifice of more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in the service of our country.
Here we will pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have served in our country’s defence, and those who continue to serve today. If you’re looking to attend an ANZAC Day service or march, we’ve compiled a list of all the ones happening around the region.
ANZAC Day events across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast regions:
Geelong
- Johnstone Park Pre-Dawn Service – 4:15am
Takes place at the Geelong Peace Memorial. Hosted by the Geelong RSL. - Eastern Beach Reserve Dawn Service – 6am
Takes place at Eastern Beach Reserve. Hosted by the Geelong RSL. - Boer War memorial Dawn Service – 6.30am
The Kardinia Rotary Club will hold a dawn service on the morning of ANZAC Day. - Geelong RSL Service – 9am
A service will take place at the Geelong RSL at 50 Barwon Heads Road, Belmont. - Geelong March & Service – 11:00am
Commencing from the corner of Yarra Street and Malop Street at 11.00am. The march travels along Malop Street to conclude in Johnstone Park, a commemorative service follows at approximately 11.45am.
Lara
- Lara Dawn Service – 6:00am
Takes place at the Lara Cenotaph at 2 Rennie Street. Hosted by the Lara RSL Subbranch. - After the service, join us for a warm and comforting gunfire breakfast, where a gold coin donation is appreciated. The RSL will remain open until 9:30am, providing a space for reflection and camaraderie.
- Later, at 12:30pm, we invite you to enjoy a BBQ and music, celebrating the spirit of community and togetherness.
Ocean Grove
- Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in the Avenue commencing at 6:00am.
- A march of veterans will take place from the start point in the Terrace and will end up at the Cenotaph in Ocean Grove Park commencing at 9:45am.
- A commemoration service will take place at the Cenotaph in Ocean Grove Park commencing at 10:00am.
Portarlington
- 6.30am – Dawn service around the Portarlington Cenotaph on W.G Little Reserve
- 9.00am – Service at St Leonard’s Memorial Hall
- 10.45am – March commencing from the RSL club rooms in Harding Street and concluding at the Portarlington Cenotaph for a commemorative and wreath laying service.
Barwon Heads
- Barwon Heads March – 8.45am
The Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads RSL Subbranch will host a March in Barwon Heads at 8:45am. Commencing from the corner of Hitchcock Avenue and Bridge Road the march proceeds along Hitchcock Avenue. - A commemorative service will follow the march at the Cenotaph located outside the Barwon Heads Community Hall at 9am.
Norlane
- Church service at 6:00am, St Thomas Aquinas, Plume St, Norlane.
- Gunfire breakfast from 7:00am (gold coin donation) at the sub branch.
- March at 9:30am. Starting at the corner of Melbourne and Sparks Rd, in the service lane. Please gather at 9:20am. March concludes at the sub branch and is directly followed by an ANZAC Day service.
Drysdale
- Community commemoration – 10.30am
Takes place at the Drysdale Cenotaph on High Street with speeches, the Last post and Rouse, national anthems and wreath laying.
Anglesea
- 5.30am reflection at Cameron Park memorial
Followed by gunfire breakfast at Anglesea Bowls Club. 9.50am step-off from Anglesea Memorial Hall, McMillan Street for march to commemorative service at the cenotaph, Murray Street.
Lorne
- 7.00am service at Anzac Memorial Park, Mountjoy Parade
Followed by gunfire breakfast in the Lorne Bowls Cub car park. 10.45am march step-off from Lorne Visitor Information Centre to 11am commemorative service at Anzac Memorial Park.
Torquay
- Dawn service, Point Danger starts at 6am,
Community members and guests to arrive 5.30am. Marchers step off from Anzac Parade roundabout at 5.50am. Service followed by gunfire breakfast.
Winchelsea
- 10.30am service
with wreath laying at RSL clubrooms, Winchelsea Reserve, followed by morning tea in The Hub.
Queenscliff
- Queenscliff – Dawn Service at 5.45am at the Ocean View car park, 134 Hesse St
- Point Lonsdale – Cenotaph Service. March and service at the Pt. Lonsdale Cenotaph, assemble for the march – 8.40am from Point Lonsdale Road to the Cenotaph.
- Queenscliff – Fort Queenscliff Service March and service, assemble for the march 10.40 am Queenscliff Post Office, Hesse Street to Fort Queenscliff.
Ballarat
Ballarat Cenotaph, Sturt Street
- 6.00am – Dawn Service at the Ballarat Cenotaph in Sturt Street, followed by Gunfire Breakfast at Ballarat RSL Midlands Golf Club. A transfer bus to and from the RSL will be provided
- 10.30am – ANZAC Day March, from Lyons Street North to Ballarat Cenotaph, followed by the Commemorative Service at the Ballarat Cenotaph
- 1.00pm – Refreshments and Two-Up at Midlands Golf Club
Cardigan and Windermere Fire Brigade
- 7am: Short ceremony at the Fireman’s memorial in Remembrance Drive, corner Finchs Road, followed by the placing of a wreath.
Arch of Victory
- 8.00am – Service at the Ballarat Arch of Victory/Garden of the Grieving Mother
Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
- 9.00am – Wreath Laying service at the memorial
- Please register via the The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial website
Miners Rest
- 10.00am – Service at the Miners Rest Cenotaph
Buninyong
- 10.15am – Service at Buninyong Memorial Park
Sebastopol
- 8.30am Service at Sebastopol Cenotaph
Bendigo
- Bendigo Dawn Service – 6.00am
Soldiers Memorial Institute, 37-39 Pall Mall, Bendigo - Eaglehawk Dawn Service – 6am
Brassey Square, Cnr. Peg Leg & Sailors Gully Roads, Eaglehawk - Anzac Day Morning Service and March – 10.15am
Soldiers Memorial Institute, 37-39 Pall Mall, Bendigo - Anzac Day Morning Service Eaglehawk – 8.30am
Brassey Square, Cnr. Peg Leg & Sailors Gully Roads, Eaglehawk
Other ways you can participate in ANZAC Day if you not up in the morning:
Buy a badge or support the Appeal
The RSL will be selling badges to raise funds for their members. The Geelong RSL Sub-Branch is also urging people to donate to the ANZAC Appeal.
Donations to the ANZAC Appeal go a long way towards helping our brave servicemen and women who need it most. Make a difference and donate to change a veteran’s life today!
Involve the kids
Bake ANZAC biscuits, craft a poppy, make a wreath or read poetry.
Take the kids on a virtual tour through the Australian War Memorial’s Museum.
Support our troops
Send an email to express your support and thoughts to our troops. Emails are very much appreciated by Australian Defence Force members on operations. Use the address [email protected]
Discover our history
Learn more about Australia’s veteran history, take virtual tours and listen to stories from our servicemen and servicewomen.
Visit the Australian War Memorial and Department of Veterans Affairs Anzac Portal.
