By ANNA USHER

The 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing falls on Saturday, April 25. This year, the lower north shore’s commemorations start not on ANZAC Day, but this Sunday.

NSW Public Holiday: Three-day weekend for 2026.

NSW residents get a bonus long weekend this year. Under the Public Holidays Act 2010, ANZAC Day is fixed to 25 April every year, but the NSW Government has declared an additional public holiday on the following Monday when the 25th falls on a weekend.

Monday, 27 April, is a public holiday in NSW.

If you work Monday to Friday, you get a free long weekend – no leave required.

The same arrangement applies in 2027, when ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday, with Monday, 26 April, designated as the additional holiday.

ANZAC Day Sunday Service. This weekend, 19 April

Mosman War Memorial

The Mosman RSL sub-Branch opens the week of remembrance with its traditional ANZAC Sunday Service this weekend.

The commemorative events will begin at 3pm on Sunday, 19 April, with a service at the Mosman War Memorial, adjacent to Allan Border Oval. After the service, a Veterans’ march will proceed from the memorial to The Mosman Club, where refreshments will be served in the Level 1 auditorium.

All are welcome.

Dawn Services: Saturday 25 April

Georges Heights Parade Ground, Mosman

The Mosman RSL sub-Branch Dawn Service starts at 5:30am at the Old Parade Ground, next to Harbour Trust Headquarters on Best Avenue, Georges Heights. The service features a Catafalque party, wreath laying, and the Act of Remembrance.

Parking is available at Suakin Drive and Georges Heights Oval.

To lay a wreath, please call 0419 279 337 before the event.

After the Dawn Service, Frenchy’s Café, a short walk from the Parade Ground, will be open for breakfast and coffee.

St Leonards Park, North Sydney

The North Sydney RSL sub-Branch Dawn Service begins at 5:45am at the North Sydney War Memorial, behind North Sydney Oval.

On-site seating is available for seniors and those who require it. Breakfast and drinks are available after the service from The Greens North Sydney.

Martin Place, Sydney CBD

The official NSW ANZAC Day Dawn Service will take place at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, starting at 4:20am. Public viewing areas open from 3am.

The service includes the Ode of Remembrance, Last Post, a minute’s silence, Reveille, and wreath laying.

No tickets required.

ABC TV and ABC iview will broadcast the service live.

The ANZAC Day March begins at 9am at Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, finishing at Liverpool Street around 12:30pm. A Commemoration Service follows at 12:30pm at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South.

Official commemorations end with a Sunset Service at the Cenotaph at 5pm.

Dress Code and Medals

Dress should reflect the dignity of the occasion. Business attire is appropriate.

Veterans and serving personnel should wear their medals on the left chest. If you are honouring a deceased relative by wearing their medals, you must wear them on the right-hand side of your chest — this is the accepted protocol.

Remember, the left side is for your own service, the right side is for commemorating someone else.

Flag Protocol

The Australian National Flag is to be flown at half-mast from sunrise until 12pm on ANZAC Day.

During individual ceremonies, the flag is raised to the peak during the playing of Reveille at the conclusion of the service.

Reveille is played only at a Dawn Service; at all other services, Rouse is to be played, except for the Royal Australian Navy.

Rosemary 

Rosemary grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula and has been worn on ANZAC Day as a symbol of remembrance ever since. A sprig on your lapel is one of the simplest ways to mark the occasion.

Getting to the CBD – transport and road closures

Leave the car at home if you can. Major road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the Sydney CBD for most of ANZAC Day. Plan your trip in advance at transportnsw.info/Anzac-Day.

For real-time traffic updates, visit livetraffic.com.

Members and ex-members of the Australian Defence Force in uniform or wearing their medals travel free on public transport on ANZAC Day. This entitlement extends to accompanying carers, family members and widows of veterans carrying an RSL NSW accreditation letter or a war widow’s Gold Card.

Trading Hours on ANZAC Day

Under NSW law, retailers cannot open until 1pm on Saturday, 25 April, unless they qualify as a small business under Sunday trading rules.

Most bottle shops also open from 1pm.

The bonus public holiday on Monday, 27 April, means standard public holiday trading also applies that day. Check with individual businesses if you’re planning a long weekend shop.

Lest We Forget

ANZAC Sunday Service: Sunday 19 April, 3pm, Mosman War Memorial.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service Mosman: Saturday 25 April, 5:30am, Georges Heights Parade Ground.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service North Sydney: Saturday 25 April, 5:45am, St Leonards Park.

NSW public holiday: Monday 27 April.

Got a photo from the day? Tag us @mosmancollective or send to [email protected]