Circular 11/22 ANZAC Day 2022
I can now provide formal advice regarding 2022 ANZAC Day Commemorations across the state, including the Sydney CBD.
All ANZAC Day commemorations across NSW can proceed as normal this year. Sub-Branches are free to organise an outdoor Dawn Service, Commemoration, or March with no limits on attendance numbers. There is no requirement for QR code check in, and the wearing of masks is only encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others.
Commemorations across NSW
Please contact your Police Area Command and your local Council to commence planning your events. Once your events have been confirmed and so that we can keep your community informed, please add the details to the RSL NSW website by completing this form.
Sydney CBD Commemorations
The Sydney CBD Dawn Service and March will proceed as normal, together with the return of the (post-March) Commemoration Service and Sunset Service.
To register a Unit/Ship/Squadron/Association for the Sydney CBD March please complete this form, and if you have an ANZAC Day reunion you wish to advertise on the RSL NSW website complete this form.
Engaging with the veteran community
There are three significant anniversaries taking place this year which sub-Branches may want to consider incorporating into ANZAC Day commemorations and engagement with the community:
- 80th anniversary of WWII battles to the north of Australia (Milne Bay, Kokoda, Buna-Gona) as well as the attacks on Darwin and Sydney Harbour among others
- 50th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Task Force from Nui Dat which effectively ended troop deployments to Vietnam
- 1st anniversary of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of Australian’s large-scale military commitment to the Middle East
ANZAC House is coordinating a tri-service representative group from Middle East operations to March at the front of the Sydney CBD March.
Sub-Branch Executives might consider visits to schools (see below), giving prominence to certain cohorts in your local ANZAC Day march, or noting the anniversaries during the commemoration service. Considering that this is the first ANZAC Day since the withdrawal from Afghanistan acknowledging this anniversary is likely generate interest from younger veterans who are not yet members but could be encouraged to join the League.
The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration will be held virtually due to the ongoing health pandemic, this however will allow students to still honour the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. The pre-recorded Commemoration video will be available for schools to use from 4 April. Sub-Branches are encouraged to contact their local schools to gauge interest in hosting a representative of your sub-Branch locally for their commemoration.
Fundraising
A significant number of tokens formerly owned by WBI are available to sub-Branches and can now be ordered online. Sub-Branches will be required to pay a small packing ($0.25 cents per token) and freight charge, however there is no charge for the tokens. Please visit the Fundraising page on the RSL NSW website for simple instructions on how to create an account and place an order.
Sub-Branches are encouraged to fundraise this year with a view to supporting the ANZAC Appeal and promoting the League’s presence in communities across NSW.
Further information
Please visit the ANZAC Day 2022 page of the RSL NSW website to find all the ANZAC Day information and resources which will continue to be updated as information becomes available.
Please refer to the NSW Government website regarding COVID-19 rules and please note that commemorations may need to be changed or cancelled at any time.
