Anzac Day services given green light for Camden Haven

Marches and services will go ahead on Sunday, April 25 with members of the public expected to sign in with QR codes via the Service NSW app, said Laurieton RSL Sub Branch president John (Budgie) Parrott.

Schools students and community groups will not be permitted to take part in marches this year and will have to sign in as members of the crowd.

"We have been assured verbally by the council to hold the march, dawn service and the main service as per normal," Mr Parrott said.

"We have put our paperwork in and it has been accepted.

"However for the march there will only be veterans, family members and RSL auxiliary members marching. There will be no school children or youth organisations this year because everyone must register via the app.

"We are inviting school captains to lay wreaths at the main service and we invite students to attend the main service with their parents.

"We need everyone to understand that this could change for the worse if situations elsewhere get out of hand and these conditions could be rescinded due to COVID."

Read more:

Mr Parrot said a two-square metre rule of social distancing will apply and a maximum crowd of around 3000 people.

In Laurieton, the march will begin at 10.30am, the main service will start at 11am and the dawn service will commence at 5.30am.

Kendall RSL sub-Branch president Lance Gainey said there will be an Anzac Day dawn service at 5.30am and main service at 10am at the Kendall Services & Citizens Club.

"Members of the public will be able to get breakfast at the club after the dawn service. I will be putting the flag up and RSL wreath at the cenotaph at 4.45am, if anyone wants to lay a wreath after that time they are welcome to," he said.

"People are pretty upset about the government advice of having the memorial ribboned off from the public. Considering they allow thousands of people at football matches but take offence if people attend Anzac Day.

"How can you tell the relatives of people with names written on the monument that they can't lay a wreath on Anzac Day. That's a bloody insult and I think it's time some RSL people stood up and flamin' got themselves counted."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously said the resumption of public Anzac Day commemorations is a sign Australia is back on track after marches around the country were cancelled last year because of the pandemic.

Anzac Day services overseas, however, will not go ahead as normal in 2021. The decision was made on the health advice of Australian authorities due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

This includes the Australian and New Zealand-led Anzac Day services in Turkey and the Australian services in France. The day will still be recognised in these countries however, with locally-based officials holding private commemorations.

A COVID-safe national service will be held at the Australian War Memorial and broadcast nationally, with all Australians encouraged to tune in and watch on the day.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs has a range of free resources available online for communities and individuals, to help them plan a commemorative service in their local area or at home.

Visit the Anzac Portal for more information anzacportal.dva.gov.au.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Bookmark our website

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters

You can support us with a subscription

Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews

Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews

Follow us on Google News