The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)
Hornsby RSL Sub Branch
The Price Of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance
ANZAC DAY - 25th APRIL - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the 1st major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WW1. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
Why is the day special to Australians? When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 14 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian & New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsular to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at on the 25th April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for 8 months.
At the the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home and 25th April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch conducts the DAWN SERVICE at Hornsby Cenotaph at 5:00am each Anzac Day. An Anzac Sunday Service and march is also held on the Sunday prior to Anzac Day, for those that cannot attend the Dawn Service.
ANZAC Day 2022
Details of RSL NSW ANZAC Day commemorations can be found on their website at RSL NSW ANZAC Day 2022
Hornsby RSL sub-Branch returns to its usual practice, conducting two commemorations services, a march on Sunday 24 April and a dawn service on ANZAC Day.
ANZAC March 24 April - There are changes this year as regards to the form up area and route.
The Veterans will assemble on the Hornsby Rail Bridge, Peats Ferry Rd from 10.30 am. Other community groups should assemble in High St and will join the march after the Veterans have passed.
The march will commence at approx. 10.45am and proceed the short distance along Peats Ferry Rd to the Cenotaph for the service to commence at 11 am.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the assembly will march from the Cenotaph to the Hornsby RSL Club where it will disperse.
Dawn Service 25 April - Form up in front of Hornsby RSL Club at 4.30 am. The march to the Cenotaph will commence at 4.45 am. Service to commence at approximately 5 am.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the assembly will march from the Cenotaph to the Hornsby RSL Club for a Gunfire Breakfast.
Tickets will not be required for the Gunfire Breakfast this year but Volunteers will be circulating in the Club with buckets asking for a gold coin donation (all donations to support RSL Lifecare Homes For Heroes ). Once inside the club you will be directed to an eating area.
Details of Hornsby RSL Club arrangements for ANZAC Day can be found here .
A movie produced by Hornsby RSL Club of the 2021 Dawn Service can be found 2021 Hornsby Dawn Service
Office Telephone: 02 9476 6680
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hornsbyrslsubbranch.com.au