There will be a number of services held around the region to commemorate the fallen and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by men and women of war.

Veterans and servicemen and women from across generations of armed conflicts bearing their medals will assemble and lead marches, joined by family members, school children, and emergency service personnel.

In Gunnedah, there will be both a dawn service and mid-morning service, organised by the Gunnedah RSL Sub-branch.

The dawn service will start at 5.30am at the cenotaph memorial on the corner of Conadilly and Elgin streets, with Gunnedah Salvation Army captain Richard Day to lead the prayers of the ceremony.

The mid-morning service will begin with a march at 10.30am, proceeding from Marquis Street and continuing down Conadilly Street to the cenotaph. The assembly point for the march is the corner of Marquis and Elgin streets, outside Mitre 10 from 10am. Veterans’ cars will lead the procession.

The official service is at 11am at the cenotaph, with the commemorative address to be led by Gunnedah Anglican Church minister Scott Dunlop. 

A free lunch will be held for veterans and their families at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club from 12pm. 

The Gunnedah Water Tower Museum will be open from 11am, with free entry. The museum has military displays including the Bill Clegg Memorial and memorabilia of the late Phillip Gregory Barwick.

In Curlewis, there will be both a dawn service and morning service.

The march for the dawn service in Curlewis will proceed from the corner of Goran and Pike streets at 5.15am. Participants are asked to assemble at 5am.

The march for the morning service will start at the Commercial Hotel corner at 8.45am, with participants to head to the cenotaph. The service will begin at 9am.

In Breeza, march participants are asked to assemble near the old cenotaph at 8.15am. The march will take the participants to the new cenotaph near the park. The service will start at 8.30am and will be led by the Breeza Progress Association

The dawn service in Tambar Springs will be held at the memorial park at 5.30am, followed by a gun salute. Following the service, the Royal Hotel will serve up breakfast.

In Premer, a mid-morning service will be held at the Lions Park, with participants to assemble at 10.45am for 11am. Lunch will be served afterwards in the “Lions Den”.

In Goolhi, there will be a dusk service, with participants asked to assemble at the village hall from 5pm for 5.30pm. Dinner will follow.

In Boggabri, participants will march from the RSL Club to the cenotaph at 8.30am march.

In Baan Baa, a dawn service will be held at 5.30am in the village hall.

An Anzac tribute concert will be held at 4pm on Sunday, April 22 at Pensioners Hill.

The free community concert will be hosted by the ANZAC Working Group and will include three sessions – approximately 45 minutes to one hour each with 20-minute intermissions.

The concert will include performances of traditional war tunes by the Gunnedah Shire Band’s award-winning junior A-grade band, well-known songs from the last century by students of the Gunnedah Conservatorium of Music, and war poetry readings and extracts from letters, read by school students.

A barbecue will be held by Rotary Club of Gunnedah West. A golf buggy will be available to assist people to get to the top of the hill. Community members are asked to bring a picnic rug or chair and gather together to enjoy a sunset atop one of Gunnedah’s vantage points.

Working group chair and councillor Owen Hasler said it was important to recognise the effects of wartime involvement and the sacrifices of soldiers, veterans and their families.

“Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to participate in ANZAC Day ceremonies and events,” he said. 

“We hope our community will unite to show support and pay tribute to our ANZACs and the role servicemen and women have played in defending our nation in the past, now, and into the future.”

Winanga-li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre will host an Anzac morning tea on April 23 from 10am. RSVP by April 20 to Kerren or Carys on 6743 0999.

Mackellar Care Services will hold a pre-Anzac Day service at Alkira on April 24. The service will be held in the War Memorial Garden at 11am.

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