Many people rise well before the sun on Anzac Day to attend solemn dawn services of remembrance in the chilly autumn air.
The most famous is of course in Gallipoli, and in Australia the biggest are at the War Memorial in Canberra and in Sydney.
We'll have a live broadcast of the dawn service from Canberra on 1233 ABC Newcastle from 5.30am through till 6.20am, when Helen Clare will join you for a special Anzac Day breakfast program.
Of course Newcastle holds its own dawn service, in a beautiful spot at Nobbys Beach, and Helen will be crossing live to Dan Cox from our newsroom, as well as to the service in East Maitland and later in the morning to the Newcastle march. (you can find details of the main local services and marches below)
From 10am till 1pm, Philip Clark will be broadcasting a national program from Newcastle that will be heard on ABC Local Radio around Australia.
He'll be kicking off with a live cross to Gallipoli and also the Australian War Memorial. And he'll have a panel of young people in the studio to find out what Anzac Day means to their generation.
You'll also hear from veterans of one of our forgotten conflicts, in Malaya, and a 93-year-old Burma veteran who's returning to Hellfire Pass, a notorious part of the Burma-Thailand railway.
During the afternoon and evening, you'll hear all the live action from the two big NRL matches of the day, the traditional Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and the Dragons, as well as the Stom v the Warriors.
Anzac Day Services and Marches:
Newcastle ~ The dawn service begins at 5am, and includes a band, choir, bugler and bagpipes. It will conclude at around 6am with a salute to the fallen by the Fort Scratchley guns. As is tradition, there will be a controlled blackout of the site before dawn, and attendees are advised to bring a torch, warm clothing and rain protection. The Newcastle Anzac Day march begins in the Hunter Mall at 9.15am, proceeding via Darby St to Civic Park for a commemoration service at the cenotaph at 10am. Road closures will be in place along the route. The wet weather venue is City Hall.
Belmont ~Assemble at 9am in the Gunyah Hotel car park for a march from 9.30am via the Pacific Highway to the Macquarie St Mall for a service at 10am.
Catherine Hill Bay ~ Dawn service 6am at Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club.
Dungog ~ Dawn service from 5.30am at the War Memorial in Lord St, and a memorial service at 7am at the war graves. March from 10.30am from Dowling St to the Memorial, with a bus available for those unable to march.
East Maitland ~ Dawn service from 5.30am at East Maitland War Memorial. March from 11.20am from the RSL Hall, cnr of High St, to the war memorial for a service at 11.30am. Local schools will be involved in both services.
Maitland ~ March at 10.30am from Church St, near fire station, to Maitland Park cenotaph for a service.
Medowie ~ March from 5.45am from Medowie Hardware in Ferodale Rd, to Lions Memorial Park for 6am service.
Merewether ~ Service from 6.15am at Mitchell Park Memorial Gates, with a brief ceremony to mark the completion of the memorial upgrade project. Breakfast to follow at Souths Leagues Club.
Morisset ~ Dawn service at Morisset RSL Country Club from 6am, then march at 10am from railway station car park to the club, followed by a service at 10.40am.
Muswellbrook ~ Service from 6am at the cenotaph, cnr Bridge and Market Sts. Then short service at the Muswellbrook War Graves, cnr Brecht and Bowman Sts, and the Vietnam Memorial at New England Hwy, North Muswellbrook. March at 10am from railway station to the cenotaph for the main service. Anzac Day luncheon at RSL Club at midday, bookings essential.
Rathmines ~ Service from 2pm at Catalina Memorial Park, next to the bowling club.
Ryhope ~ Service at Lake Macquarie Memorial Park, 9am.
Shortland ~ RSL recreation hall opens at 4.30am, ceremony at 5am.
Speers Point ~ Assemble at Lake Macquarie council carpark at 5.15am for march down main road to the cenotaph on the Esplanade. Dawn service from 6am at the cenotaph, followed by breakfast at Speers Point RSL Club from 6.30am.
Swansea ~ March at 11am, main street, from McDonalds to the RSL Club for a service.
Toronto ~ Dawn service at Toronto Diggers from 5am, then march from 10.45am from The Boulevard to Goffet Park war memorial for a service. Club bus provided for older or invalid veterans.
Wangi Wangi ~ Dawn service at war memorial at Wangi RSL Club at 5.30am, then march assembly in Puna Rd from 9.30am for march at 10am. About 30 military vehicles will be in the parade.
Anzac Day Travel:
Newcastle Buses and Ferries are operating to a Sunday/Public Holiday timetable, but with extra early morning bus services to allow attendance at the dawn service at Nobbys Beach. Additional early morning ferry services have also been scheduled. Veterans wearing their uniform or medals are entitled to free travel on Newcastle Buses and Ferries, CityRail, Sydney Buses and Sydney Ferries. War widows and widowers, children and grandchildren of veterans with an official letter from their local RSL may also travel free.
Visit the ABC's special Anzac Day website, and find details of marches and services across NSW at the RSL's website.
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