ANZAC Day is upon us once more.
This Sunday, April 25 marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1915. More than 100 years later, the spirit of the ANZAC lives on and its qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice persist. (Featured image: @davidclode)
This year, services are back on and celebrations around town are on as well. Here’s our guide for everything to see and do on ANZAC Day in Melbourne.
1. Watch the Dawn Service stream
While all the tickets to attend the Dawn Service at the Shrine have been allocated, you can still get up bleary-eyed to pay your respects and watch The Dawn Service at the Shrine live online. The online live stream will begin from 5:40am and can be viewed on the YouTube channel above or on the Shrine of Remembrance social media channels.
The Mount Macedon ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be prerecorded this year and will be made available to watch here.
2. The ANZAC Day March
The march along St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance will go ahead this year despite numbers being capped at 5,500 veteran participants. The march will begin at the Flinders and Swanston Street intersection at 9:30am.
3. Melbourne Commemoration Ceremony
If you don’t make it in time for the march down St Kilda Road, head straight for the Shrine for the Melbourne Commemoration Ceremony and the Official Wreath Laying Service, which usually begins at around 11am. All those in attendance will need to scan a QR code while following RSL Victoria COVID Marshalls as well as State health guidelines.
4. Commemorate locally
Hundreds of local Dawn Services are happening around Victoria this year. There will be services in Mansfield, Mount Beauty, Myrtleford, Merrijig, Benalla, the Mornington Peninsula and more towns across the state. To find a local ANZAC Day service or activity, see here.
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5. Play a round of Two-Up
Did you know that playing a round of Two-Up in Victoria is only legal on ANZAC Day? Also, only RSL clubs and venues approved by the Minister for Gaming can hold Two-Up games. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions, many RSLs have cancelled their Two-Up tournaments but that doesn’t mean games won’t be happening around town.
6. Watch an ANZAC Day Clash
Collingwood and Essendon reprise their roles in the traditional ANZAC Day clash at the MCG. First bounce is at 3:20pm so get to a bar and pub in the CBD or surrounds early for best view of the game because if you’re here, it’s most likely you’ve missed out on tickets this year.
This year, though, the NRL is getting on the ANZAC Day action with the Melbourne Storm taking on the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park. This should be a good one with both Australia and New Zealand represented. The game starts at 6:15pm.
7. Drink beers at Bodriggy
Plenty of bars and pubs across the city get on the beers on ANZAC Day to support and raise funds for ANZAC veterans.
One such place is Abbotsford’s bustling brew-pub Bodriggy, which has put together Mate-Ship Sunday loaded with live music headed up by award-winning saxophonist Josh Kelly, footy on the big screen and prizes to be won.
On the day, comedian Nick Capper will be hosting a raffle to win a meat tray with proceeds going to ANZAC veterans before heading upstairs to sister venue Stringrays Upstairs for a night of laughs.