Northern Rivers to honour Anzac Day across the region

NORTHERN Rivers communities will honour service and sacrifice this Anzac Day, with dawn services, marches and commemorations planned across the region.

This year’s commemorations carry added historical significance, marking 110 years since the Gallipoli landings and 80 years since the end of the second world war.

Across the state, more than 300 RSLs will host services and marches, with strong local attendance expected.

Tweed

In Tweed Heads, residents are expected to gather at the cenotaph in the memorial precinct for a dawn service, followed by a march through the CBD and a commemorative service.

Twin Towns Services Club will host a dawn service at 5.45am, followed by a morning program including a gunfire breakfast and a live concert featuring wartime tributes.

 

The main service will be held at 11am, with post-march refreshments provided for attendees.

Free live entertainment will continue from 1pm.

At Murwillumbah Services Club, a dawn service will be held at 5am at Remembrance Place Cenotaph, followed by a veterans’ breakfast at 5.45am.

The main march will assemble at 10am at the intersection of Wollumbin Street and Queensland Road, with a veterans’ lunch to follow from noon.

Pottsville will hold its march and service at 8am, followed by a breakfast hosted by the Lions Club.

A traditional game of two-up will be held from 1pm, facilitated by the Pottsville Football Club.

 

Byron

Services will be held across Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.

In Bangalow, a march will depart the pub at 10.30am, proceeding along Byron Street to Station Street for a service at the RSL memorial.

Road closures will be in place from 10.40am to 11.45am.

Brunswick Heads will host a dawn service at 5am at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park, with attendees asked to assemble from 4.45am.

Fawcett Street will be closed during the service.

Byron Bay will hold dawn and mid-morning services at the Memorial Gates.

The dawn service begins at 5.30am, followed by breakfast at the Byron Bay Services Club.

The main march will step off at 10.30am from Apex Park, before a service at the foreshore from 10.50am.

Bangalow Lions will host two-up and food at its kiosk.

Mullumbimby’s dawn service will begin at 4.30am at the Cenotaph opposite the Ex-Services Club, followed by breakfast.

The main march will depart Apex Park at 10.50am, followed by a civic service.

Road closures will affect Dalley Street from 8am.

 

Ballina

Commemorations will be led by the Ballina RSL at RSL Memorial Park.

The day begins with a dawn service at 5.30am, followed by a $5 community breakfast at the Ballina RSL.

The Anzac Day march will step off at 10.30am, followed by a commemorative service at 11am.

Ballina RSL president Jamie Tanner said the day remained an important moment for the community.

“Our passionate veteran volunteers are honoured to serve the Ballina community as the custodians of Anzac Day commemorations,” he said.

“We welcome everyone, young and old, to commemorate in their own way and pay tribute to all who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

 

“Anzac Day is more than a ceremony; it’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of our freedom.”

In the lead-up to the day, handmade poppy wreaths and banners have been displayed along River Street, supported by local businesses.

The Ballina Pipe Band will lead the march and kick off an afternoon of entertainment at Cherry Street Sports Club.

Alstonville will host a dawn service at 5.30am at the War Memorial on Daley Street, followed by a 9.40am march and commemorative service.

A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Paddy Bugden memorial before the march.

The Federal Hotel will host a community breakfast and events throughout the day.

Lennox Head will hold a dawn gathering at Ross Park at 5.45am.

 

Lismore

Lismore will host a full program of commemorations, beginning with a dawn service march at 5am from the corner of Molesworth and Magellan streets.

The dawn service will follow immediately.

A breakfast for veterans and families will be held at the Lismore City Bowling Club.

The main march will form at Browns Creek Car Park at 8.30am, stepping off at 9am, followed by the main service and wreath laying.

A Royal Australian Air Force flyover is scheduled for 10.28am.

Church services will be held across the weekend, including Catholic and Anglican Anzac services.

Community gatherings are also planned at venues including the Lismore Heights Bowling Club and the Hilltop Hotel in Goonellabah.

RSL sub-branch volunteers will sell Anzac badges and merchandise across Lismore shopping centres in the lead-up to the day.