Anzac Day 2023 Events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter

Anzac Day commemorations are an important day in the Newcastle region with many attending the Newcastle Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach as well as other Anzac celebrations. Anzac Day is a day to remember the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915.

More than a hundred years later, we still remember the service of the Anzacs. To commemorate this event, here are details about events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.

If you can’t make it to an event, Newy with Kids has put together a guide to commemorate Anzac Day with your family with a variety of activities to remember the sacrifice made. These include Light Up the Dawn, baking Anzac biscuits, visiting Gallipoli virtually and visiting a local Anzac memorial.

Anzac Day Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach

The Dawn Service at Camp Shortland at Newcastle Foreshore on Tuesday 25 April 2023 will begin at 5am and will include a band, choir, bugler and bagpiper. The service will conclude at approximately 6am with a four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the guns at Fort Scratchley.

In keeping with tradition there will be a controlled blackout of the site prior to the Dawn Service. Attendees are advised to bring a torch, warm clothing and wet weather protection.

Large outdoor screens on Camp Shortland and Shortland Lawn will provide coverage of the Dawn Service. (You can also watch the live stream of the event online or on NBN Television from 5am).

To get to Nobbys either walk, do park and ride or take public transport – additional buses, light rail, ferries, and trains will run from 3.30am. For information and to plan your trip visit newcastletransport.info or call 131500. There will be free travel on public transport for veterans and their families on Anzac Day.

Tips on attending Nobbys Dawn Service

In the past, Newy with Kids readers have provided tips on attending the Nobbys Dawn Service with kids as well as suggesting other alternatives. These include:

• Go early to get a park and stay cosy. Take beanies and a thermos of hot chocolate.
• Put back bedtime routine the night before at least an hour. It’s the best way to not have to deal with super crankiness at a 4am wakeup. And agreed, get there as early as you can manage. Kids are already confused by the sleep disturbance and heading out in the cold and dark, so make sure you’re settled by the time the ceremony starts.
• We put a long sleeve shirt and socks on our child for bed that night too, so all that’s needed is undies and pants in the morning. Shoes in the car for when he is more awake, along with a small snack!
• Park at Honeysuckle and allow enough time to walk/scooter/take public transport to Nobbys. We’ll be going to the Gregson Park Dawn Service in Hamilton. There is a lovely ceremony with schools involved and it’s not so crowded so a bit better suited for little ones.
• I haven’t taken my girls to the Dawn Service before, but found the march along King Street interesting and exciting for little ones.
• Go to a local Dawn Service instead or the 9am service in Civic Park instead as unless you are there at 4am you won’t be able to see or hear anything.

Anzac Day March – Hunter Street

Anzac Day March will be held on Tuesday 25 April 2023 from 9:15am – 10am starting from Perkins Street marching along King Street and finishing in Civic Park. The Newcastle ANZAC Day United Commemoration Service is a combined faith service and all are welcome. It will be held at the cenotaph in Civic Park commencing from 10:00am. The RAAF Williamtown will conduct a Flyover at 10:00am sharp.

Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day

Fort Scratchley will be open on Anzac Day from 12pm to 4pm for firing of the guns and tours. Firing of the guns is set at 1pm and 3pm. A four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the Mark 7 Guns at Fort Scratchley will be conducted at the conclusion of the Dawn Service at approximately 6am, this represents the Navy, Army, Air Force and Anzac

Hamilton Anzac Day Service

There is also the Anzac Day Service in Gregson Park in Hamilton at 6am. Following the Dawn Service, breakfast will be available in the grounds of nearby Hamilton Public School. The Hamilton Public School P& C Association will be hosting a breakfast following the Service in the school grounds (gold coin donation) – community welcome.

Other Anzac Day Events in Newcastle

In Newcastle, there are a number of Anzac Day services and marches in addition to the larger events at Nobbys and Hamilton

Adamstown: Service will be held at the World War 1 Memorial, 282 Brunker Road Adamstown commencing at 8.30am. There will be no march this year.

Bar Beach: There will be a service at Cooks Hill Surf Club. Assemble at the surf club at 7.15am to walk up behind the flag party to the memorial for the service commencing at 7.30am. This is a community service and community members are encouraged to walk up to the memorial from the surf club behind the flag party as a club and community.

Beresfield: Dawn service will be starting at 5.30am, at the Community Memorial Cenotaph, corners of Allendale Street and Anderson Drive, Beresfield.

Hamilton: Service will be held at Gregson Park War Memorial, Corner Tudor and Steel Streets Hamilton commencing at 6.00am.  The Hamilton Public School P& C Association will be hosting a breakfast following the Service in the school grounds (gold coin donation) – community welcome.

Merewether: Dawn service will be held at the Mitchell Park Memorial Gates in Mitchell Street at 7am.

Shortland: Dawn service will be held at 5:30am in Memorial Garden on Conmurra Crescent followed by Breakfast.

Stockton: Dawn Service (about) 5:45 AM Monday 25th April 2023. There will be a commemoration service held at the Cenotaph. It will be a short service and should conclude at approximately 6:15 AM. Prior to the Dawn Service, there will be a march by veterans and attending service personnel from the front of Club Stockton (formerly the Stockton RSL Club) at 29 Douglas Street Stockton. It will proceed via Clyde Street to Mitchell Street, then along Mitchell Street to the Cenotaph. The march will assemble at 5:15 AM departing at 5:30 AM for the Cenotaph where the Memorial Dawn Service shall be held.

Anzac Day Events in Lake Macquarie

In Lake Macquarie, there are a number of Anzac Day services and marches.

Belmont: March will start at 9.45am from High Street and will proceed along Pacific Highway to the monument in Cullen Park. The official service will start at 10am in Cullen Park.

Catherine Hill Bay: Dawn service will commence at 6am at Catherine Hill Bay War Memorial on Flowers Drive.

Cardiff: March will commence from the corner of Macquarie Road and Main Road Cardiff at 4.50am. Dawn Service commence at 5:00am at Cardiff War Memorial, 45 Macquarie Road, Cardiff followed by breakfast and refreshments at Cardiff RSL Club.

Dora Creek: Dawn Service will be held at Neville Thompson Oval at 6am. A traditional Gunfire Breakfast will be hosted by SLMRSL inside Dora Creek Workers Club following the Service. A contribution towards the cost of hosting the event will be gratefully received. A march at 9.30am will follow with the main service at Neville Thompson Oval at 10am.

Dudley: A march will step off at 5.45am from Banfield Lane near the water tower, followed by a service at Dudley War Memorial.

Pelican: A march will form up on Piriwal Street near Bato Street at 5.50am, followed by a 6am service at Pelican RSL Memorial Park.

Rathmines: A march will step off at 12.55pm near Club Catalina Rathmines Bowling Club, followed by a service at Catalina War Memorial.

Speers Point: Service commences at 5:45am at the boat ramp cap park at Speers Point Park. Dawn service commences at 6am.

Swansea: A dawn service will commence at 6am at Swansea RSL. A march will then step off at 11am from McDonald’s, followed by a secondary service at Swansea RSL.

Teralba: A march will step off at 7.50am on William Street near the Great Northern Hotel, followed by a service held at Anzac park.

Toronto: A dawn service will commence at 6am at Goffet Park. A march will step off at 10.50am from The Boulevarde in front of The Diggers Club, followed by a service at 11am at Goffet Park.

Valentine: A march will start at 10am at Allambee Park, Valentine followed by a service.

Wangi Wangi: Dawn Service commences at 0530hrs at the Cenotaph located at the front of the RSL Club, which includes the laying of wreathes, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast purchased at the RSL Club. March will form at 9:30am, with vehicles to follow along Puna Road and Dobell Drive at 9.55am. A service will follow at 10:30am at Wangi RSL Sub-Branch Club on Watkins Road.

West Wallsend: A march will step off at 9.45am on the corner of Withers and Carrington Streets, followed by a service at West Wallsend Workers Club.

Anzac Day Events in Maitland & the Hunter Valley

Branxton: O530 Dawn Service at Branxton Rotunda,located John Rose Ave. Branxton. 100 year Anniversary. Dawn Service gunfire Breakfast held at the Miller Park hotel -opposite Branxton Memorial Pool at 0615 to 0700 approx. Main service at 11:45am at Branxton Park, John Rose Avenue Branxton.

Cessnock: Dawn Service at 5:30am at Cenotaph at TAFE. Gunfire Breakfast at Cessnock Leagues Club. This is a ticketed event. Will be followed at 9.30am by a post WW 2 special service at Veterans Memorial Park Aberdare. March at 11am along Vincent Street to Cooper street, left into Cooper Street into North Avenue to TAFE Park. Main service at 11:40am at Cenotaph and Memorial TAFE Park Cessnock.

Denman: Dawn Service at 6am at Memorial Park Paxton Street Denman Road. March at 11:30 and morning service at 11:45am in Denman Memorial Park.

East Maitland – Dawn Service at East Maitland War Memorial at 5.30am, a march down High Street in East Maitland from 8.30am, and the main service at East Maitland War Memorial at 9.30am. This year, they celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the East Maitland RSL Sub-Branch in combination with the Centenary of the East Maitland War Memorial.

Greta: Dawn Service at 5:30am at Greta Cenotaph. Gunfire Breakfast in Old Greta Courthouse after the Service. March followed by main service starting at 9:30am to cenotaph for the main service at 10am.

Kearsley: A solemn ceremony will be held at Kearsley Community Hall at 5:30am to commemorate the service and sacrifice of personnel from the villages of Kearsley, Abernethy and Elrington.

Kurri Kurri: Dawn Service at 5am at Rotary Park Cenotaph. March followed by main service starting at 10am. (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Maitland: Dawn Service will commence at approximately 5.30am at the World War 1 Cenotaph in Maitland Park. Immediately after the service, breakfast will be supplied by the East Maitland Lions Club, close to the Cenotaph. All are welcome for a Gold Coin donation. All donations will go to East Maitland Lions Club.

The Anzac day march form up at 10.20am, at the corner of Church Street and Caroline Place, and march off to Maitland Park World War 1 Cenotaph. The Day Anzac Day Service will commence when they arrive, normally around 11.00am.

Morpeth – March at 10.00am along Swan Street with a service at Morpeth Cenotaph at 11.00am. (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Muswellbrook: Dawn Service at 6am at Muswellbrook Cenotaph corner of Market St & New England Highway Muswellbrook. Following the dawn service, a short service at the Commonwealth War Graves portion of Muswellbrook Cemetery then a small ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial at the Upper Hunter Memorial Grove, New England Highway. Gunfire breakfast from 0730 hrs at Muswellbrook RSL Club. March at 10am and main service at 10:30am.

Anzac Day Events in Port Stephens

Karuah: ANZAC March: 5:50am, Malcolm Road to Tarean Road Memorial Park. Dawn Service: 6am to 7am, Memorial Park

Medowie: Dawn service at Lions Memorial Park at 6am. March at 5:45am along Ferodale Rd to Medowie Social.

Nelson Bay: Dawn service to be held in Apex Park at 5:30am. March at 10:25am from Bowling Club to Apex Park via Stockton Street. Main Service to commence at 10.45am in Apex Park. Luncheon: 12pm to 2:30pm, West Diggers.

Raymond Terrace: A March and Service will be conducted in ANZAC Park, Raymond Terrace, from 5:45AM – 6:30AM. RSL Members, veterans, Service personnel and Ex-Service personnel will form up for a short march at the Jacaranda Avenue entrance to the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club by 5:45AM for a short march to ANZAC Park. The Service will run from 6am – 6:30am. Following the Service, people are invited to a “gun-fire” breakfast being held in the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club. The Main Service will run from 11am – 11:45am at Anzac Park.

Seaham: ANZAC March: 8:50am to 9am, East Seaham Road to Newline Road. Main Service: 9am to 9:30am, Knitting Circle Memorial.

Tilligerry: Dawn Service at 5:45am at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club. Anzac March at 9:40am. ANZAC March: 9:40am to 10am, Avenue of Allies Gateway to Tilligerry RSL Sports Club Grounds. Main Service at 10am at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club.

In addition to the events on 25 April, there is also a free ANZAC Memorial Exhibition at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre (VIC). Open from 9am to 4pm, whenever the VIC is open. The exhibition showcases fascinating war-time memorabilia.

Other Anzac Day Activities

As well as attending an Anzac Day service or march, you can also commemorate the significance of the day in other ways. It’s not easy to explain Anzac Day to kids but here are some different options you can do with your family to remember the sacrifice of the Anzacs as we approach Anzac Day. You might also want to read to your kids about Anzac Day. Here’s a selection of children’s books about the Anzacs.

You can also go for a walk along the Newcastle Memorial Walk at Strzelecki Lookout. The walk features steel silhouettes of ANZAC soldiers engraved with 3,860 family names of almost 11,000 known Newcastle and Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I.