Northern Beaches 2024 Anzac Day Guide

Dawn Service

Dawn Service participants are invited to assemble at the Diggers Club forecourt and car park from 5am. Orders of Service will be distributed from 5.15am for a 5.30am start. The Service will conclude by about 615am. 41st Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment, is expected to provide a Catafalque Party for Dawn and Main Services. Trumpeter/Bugler Dave Michael and Lone Piper William Mackie and Woolgoolga Zingapella Choir are expected to perform at the Dawn and Main Services.

Limited seating will be provided under gazebo shelters, and seating will be under cover around the Memorial, mainly for senior citizens. Please bring umbrellas and wear raincoats and hats if rain is forecast, as there is insufficient cover and seating for everyone. A hearty breakfast will be served in the Diggers Club dining area from 6.15am to 7.30am—no more than $20pp. Everyone is to pay individually. There are no free breakfasts for those wearing medals. Bars will be open, and tea/coffee will be available for purchase.

The March

The March assembles in front of the Post Office from 10.30am, stepping off at 11am on order from the Parade Marshal.

The Order of March is:

Contingent 1 Band, Veterans and Legacy

Police escort

Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums

Flag orderlies

RSL sub-Branch President sub-Branch executive

Anzac Day Chaplain

Parade Marshals

Veterans

Legacy

Contingent 2 Schools

The Lead School for 2024 will be St Francis Xavier Primary.

Other Schools expected will be (in March order):

Woolgoolga Public School

Corindi Public School

Woolgoolga High School

Saint John Paul College

Bishop Druitt College

Sandy Beach Public School

Mullaway Public School

Contingent 3 Service Clubs and Community Organisations

Red Cross

Rural Fire Service

State Emergency Service

Marine Rescue

Surf Life Saving Club

Silver Salties

Mullaway Public School

Lions Club

Rotary Club

(if any other service club or community organisation would like to march as a contingent, please get in touch with sub-Branch Secretary Christopher Chayko VR on 0432 127 071 to ensure they have a position in the Order of March and are acknowledged during the Main Service.)

The Main Service

The Main Service will be at the Diggers Club War Memorial, scheduled to begin after everyone assembles after the March at about 11.15am. The Service is scheduled to conclude no later than 12.15pm.

Limited seating will be provided under gazebo shelters, and seating will be under cover around the Memorial, mainly for senior citizens. Please bring umbrellas and wear raincoats and hats if rain is forecast, as there is insufficient cover and seating for everyone.

Please provide water for the children. They should wear hats if a hot, clear day is forecast. Adults should consider wearing a hat, bringing a bottle of water and, if necessary, a foldable camp chair.

Lunch will be available after the Main Service – orders from after 12 noon using the standard Diggers Club Menu. No separate ANZAC Day Lunch menu or tickets will be issued. Everyone should expect to pay for their lunch individually.

Seating for RSL sub-Branch Members, their families and friends will be reserved. If community members and march contingents want to join the RSL sub-Branch group at the Lunch, please telephone the Honorary Secretary, Christopher Chayko, on 0432 127 071 with numbers and names. Additional regular seating will also be available. During Lunch, the fabulous Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums will entertain. Glengarry collection for donations to this much-loved volunteer band will be conducted.

Your Guide to Wreath Laying for Anzac Day

The tradition is for service clubs, community organisations, families, and individuals to lay wreaths during the Dawn and Main Anzac Day services. Organisations, families and individuals are responsible for their wreaths. Those laying wreaths should pre-position them on the tables provided by the sub-Branch in the forecourt of the Diggers Club.

Those who wish to lay wreaths are kindly requested to contact the subBranch Secretary Christopher Chayko VR on 0432 127 071 to ensure they are called on over the Public Address system to collect and lay their wreaths. Lotus Floral Studios (02 6654 9494) supply fresh wreaths. More permanent wreaths are available from other suppliers. E-mail the sub-Branch: WoolgoolgaSB@rslnsw.org.au if you need more information.

Volunteer Flag Bearers, please

The sub-Branch invites Northern Beaches resident students over 15 years of age from any high school to volunteer as Flag Orderlies for the Dawn and Main Services and March Flag Bearers (all in school uniform). Please telephone the Honorary Secretary, Christopher Chayko, on 0432 127 071 if you are a student who would like to take part.

If you want to support Anzac Day commemorative activities in Woolgoolga, please call the subBranch Secretary, Christopher Chayko VR, on (02) 6654 2095 or WoolgoolgaSB@rslnsw.org.au