The first Anzac Day was held on April 25 in 1916 to mark the first anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers on Gallipoli Peninsula, an event during which more than 8000 Anzac troops were killed.
More than 100 years later, we are still solemnly remembering the fallen and the sacrifices of Australians, not only during the Gallipoli campaign of World War I, but those killed in all military operations.
Many Anzac Day services are held throughout Illawarra and it seems that people are still attending these dawn and early-morning services in large numbers, many with young families.
Bob, the honourable secretary for Albion Park RSL Sub-Branch, says their main service at Shellharbour City Memorial starts at 7.35am and draws a crowd of about 2000, with numbers increasing each year. He says war veterans, as well as people of all ages and plenty of young families attend the service.
He says he thinks strong attendances are a sign that Australians respect this tradition and want to honour those who sacrificed their lives. The sub-branch promotes the commemorative service through local media outlets and social media, which helps raise awareness, and for the past two years a flyer has been letterboxed around Albion Park.
In a salute to our servicemen and women, the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) has organised a flyover as part of the service. The service will be livestreamed on Shellharbour Council’s Facebook platform.
After the 4.30am Albion Park dawn service, free breakfast will be served at Albion Park RSL Club from 5.30-7.30am for all members of the community. A bus will take sub-branch members from Albion Park RSL to the Shellharbour City service, then into Wollongong for the Anzac Day March.
Shellharbour Anzac Day Services
- Shellharbour City Memorial – 7.35-8.30am, Harrison Park, junction of Memorial Drive and Minga Ave, Shellharbour City Centre
- Shellharbour Village – 6-7am, Caroline Chisholm Park, Addison St, Shellharbour
- Albion Park – 4.30am, Darcy-King Memorial Garden, Albion Park RSL Memorial Club, 160 Tongarra Rd, Albion Park
Photos thanks to Discover Shellharbour
