Anzac Day events
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, originally commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who served and died in military operations for their countries.
Anzac Day is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of Anzac, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.
Local Anzac Day events
Events will be held across the Cairns region to recognise the spirit of Anzacand remember those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Events will be held at several locations around the region and the Esplanade commemorative services will be live-streamed from Council’s Facebook page and YouTube from 5:25am.
Dawn Service
- 4:00am Parade assembles at RSL Memorial Hall
- 4:15am Parade falls in / Community assembles at ANZAC Park, Munro Street.
- 4:20am Commemorative March to Anzac Park (Cenotaph) followed by service and wreath laying.
Morning Parade and Commemorative Service
- 9:45am Parade participants assemble at RSL Memorial Hall, School Street.
- 10:00am Commemorative March along Munro Street and onto Anzac Park (Cenotaph) followed by service and wreath laying.
Road closures - 9:45am to 10:30am
- School Street from Church Street to Munro Street
- Munro Street from Knowles Street to Mill Street
For more information, please contact Ben or Jenni ph. 0488 387 316
Dawn Service
5:30am The Dawn Service will commence at the Cenotaph on the Cairns Esplanade
Services Parade
7:30am The Parade will commence at Fogarty Park, heading to the Esplanade past the RSL.
Commemorative Service
8:00am(approximate): The Commemoration Service will begin after the passing of the March at the Cenotaph, the Esplanade.
Road Closures
- 3:00am to 10:00am - Cairns Esplanade roadway will be closed between Spence St and Minnie Street
- 7:00am to 8:00am – There will be changed traffic conditions to accommodate the march affecting Pier Point Road, Shields Street, Aplin Street, Florence Street and Minnie Street.
For more information, please contact Chrystal Neeve ph. 4044 3477.
Contact the Cairns RSL Sub Branch for wreath laying or parade queries ph. 07 4249 3030
Dawn Service Assembly
- 4:00am Start arriving at the Martyn Street Cemetery
- 4:20am Assemble at the Australian War Graves site
- 4:25am Service commences at the War Graves section of the Martyn Street Cemetery
No road closures
For more information, please contact Lisa Gray ph. 0497 573 969
Dawn Parade
- 5:00am Assemble at the Cenotaph at Fuller Park
- 5:30am Bugler sounds the long "G" for service to commence
- 6:30am Parade assembles at Fuller Park Cenotaph, march will proceed on Wolff St, east on Cattle St, South on the Service Rd to the Fuller Sport Club Parking lot (entrance from service road)
- 7:30am to 8:00am March will conclude
Road closures - 5:00am to 8:00am
- Wolff Street from Fuller Park to Cattle Street
- Cattle Street to Bruce Highway (Service Road)
- Service Road (part closure)
For more information, please contact Doug Belton ph. 0484 628 129
Dawn Parade
- 3:30am Gunfire breakfast at Gordonvale RSL Annex (next to the tennis court in Norman Park)
- 4:00am Parade assembles on Gordon Street
- 4:15am Dawn Service begins at Norman Park cenotaph followed by service and wreath laying
- 6:00am Breakfast for guests, service, ex-service, and RSL members at Norman Park
Commemorative Service
- 9:00am Parade assembles at Gordonvale State Primary School on George Street
- 9:30am Commemorative March to Norman Park (cenotaph) followed by service and wreath laying
- 10am Commemorative Service (Morning tea will be available for guests, service, ex-service, and RSL members following the service in Norman Park)
Road closures - 9am to 12pm
- Gordon Street from Mills Street to Norman Street
- Norman Street from Gordon Street to Cannon Street
- Cannon Street from Norman Street to George Street
- George Street from Cannon Street to Sheppards Street
For more information, please contact Dave Chalk ph. 0409 780 271
Commemorative Service
- 09:30am - 09:50am Parade participants form-up in Magazine Street and prepare for command to step off
- 09:54am - Cenotaph Guard is mounted & Spirit of Anzac is played
- 09:55am - Street March steps off
- 10:00am - Master of Ceremonies commences greeting & intro
- 10:05 am - Commemorative Service commences
Road closures 8:00am - 11:15am
- Magazine Street, from Arnold St to Rinks Close
- Rinks Close, from Stratford Parade to Magazine St
- No access to Arnold St from Captain Cook Highway – north and southbound.
- No access to Stratford Connection Road railway crossing
For more information, please contact Ed Hayton ph. 0404 846 408
Dawn Parade
- 5:30am Commemoration Service
- 5:45am Catafalque Party takes post, service and wreath laying at Trinity Beach memorial
- March past to conclude ceremony
Road closures - 5am to 8am
- Vasey Esplanade from Trinity Beach Road to Possum Street
For more information, please contact Majella Fallon ph. 0435 959 907
Commemorative Service
- 8:30am Commemorative service at Yorkeys Knob Boating Club - Memorial Garden
Breakfast for guests, service, ex-service members in Boaties Bar & Grill Restaurant, bookings are essential, further information and booking: www.ykbc.com.au - Free shuttle bus service available within Yorkeys Knob area.
No road closures
For more information, please contact Yorkeys Knob Boating Club ph. 4055 7711
Last Updated: 16 April 2024
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