Dawn services will return at a number of locations across the Bayside and Georges River local government areas this Anzac Day (April 25), but numbers will be restricted.
Dawn services have been designated ticketed events and those attending will have to register.
The state government is allowing 10,000 people to participate in the Sydney CBD march and a maximum of 5000 people at other marches or services throughout Sydney, but the number must not exceed one person per two square metres of space.
"The nominated organiser of an outdoor Anzac Day march or service must develop and comply with a COVID-19 Safety Plan required for outdoor protests," the RSL website says.
"Each person participating in an outdoor Anzac Day march or service must provide their name, telephone number of email address to the nominated organiser and take reasonably practicable steps to comply with the COVID-19 Safety Plan developed by the nominated organiser."
Each year the RSL Sub-Branches of Oatley, Mortdale and Penshurst take turns to hold a combined dawn service at one of their Memorials.
Mortdale, which missed out on its turn in 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown, will host this year's service at the Mortdale Memorial Park.
"The tickets are free and they can be obtained through either of the Mortdale, Oatley or Penshurst clubs. Tickets are limited to 500 and there's a QR code printed on the tickets," Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch Secretary, Royce Lockhart, told the Leader.
"It means a lot to us to be able to host it this year and it will move to Oatley next year," Mr Lockhart said.
Charlie Leo, Secretary and Welfare Officer of the Brighton Le Sands RSL Sub-Branch, said close to 400 people turned up to their memorial and wreath laying service in years past, however he thought less people would come this year - particularly seniors who were concerned about being in crowds before having access to COVID-19 vaccines.
"We will have QR codes and procedures in place to maintain social distancing," Mr Leo told the Leader.
"If you can't get to a memorial service, then at 6am you can stand at the end of your driveway, wear your medals and uniform, or just go out in your pyjamas and light a candle, just to signify Anzac Day and that you are aware of it."
Ramsgate and Rockdale RSL Sub-branches will be hosting a combined event this year, and Ramsgate RSL Sub-branch Secretary Gary Mawson said 250 people would receive lanyards to access the "compound" and other community members could watch from the street.
"We will stream it live on the Ramsgate RSL Sub-branch Facebook," he said.
"Scots College band who usually lead the march in town will be providing the drums and pipes."
Bayside Council's website has listed the following dawn service information (for areas in this newspaper's circulation) supplied by RSL Sub-branches and clubs, as well as contact numbers for registration details:
- Arncliffe - 6am, Cenotaph Arncliffe Park, 9567 3966
- Bexley - 6am, Bexley RSL Club, 9502 1966
- Brighton Le Sands - 6am, Memorial next to the RSL Club, Contact: 9567 5157
- Bardwell Park - 6am, Bardwell Park RSL, 9335 9999
- Kingsgrove - 7.15am, Memorial Park Kingsgrove, 9336 1500
- Ramsgate - 6.30am, assemble at the Sans Souci Literary Institute for march to Ramsgate RSL, 9504 8000
The following services will occur in the Georges River Council area:
- Mortdale - 6am, Mortdale Memorial Park, 9580 3649
- Kogarah - 7.30am, assemble on Bellevue Street behind Kogarah Clubhouse for march to Jubilee Park Cenotaph, 9587 8533.
Sarah Falson
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
