Thousands of people are expected to pay tribute to Australia's veteran community at Anzac Day ceremonies and events across New South Wales this long weekend. The state will have an extra public holiday to account for April 25 falling on a weekend this year.
The official NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service is being held at the Cenotaph at Martin Place in Sydney from 4:20am to 5:20am on Saturday, April 25. There will be limited seating, with standing room available when capacity is reached. Proceedings will include the bugle call of the Last Post and a reading of the Ode of Remembrance.
The service will be followed by a march along Elizabeth Street in the CBD at 9am, with the walk to finish at Liverpool Street about 12:30pm. A service at the Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South will be held at 12:30pm. Commemorations will return to Martin Place at 5pm for a sunset service at the Cenotaph.
Additional services are being held across the state, with location details available through RSL NSW. Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place in the CBD from 1am and continuing for much of Saturday, with Transport for NSW recommending taking public transport to Anzac Day events. Travel on public transport will be free for veterans and their families on Saturday, with current or former members of the Australian Defence Force asked to wear their uniform, display service medals or carry an accreditation letter on the day.
NSW residents will have two public holidays for Anzac Day, one on Saturday and another on Monday, April 27. Premier Chris Minns announced the additional public holiday earlier this year as part of a two-year trial. He said no Anzac Day services would be affected by the change, but gambling game two-up will remain illegal on any other day except April 25 and Remembrance Day on November 11.
In NSW, many shops and businesses are required to shut on Anzac Day, with large retailers like department stores, supermarkets and fashion outlets among those affected by the restrictions. The trading restrictions that apply to Saturday will not apply to the additional public holiday on Monday. The ABC will provide ongoing Anzac Day coverage throughout Saturday for those who cannot attend services in person.
