ANZAC Day in Canberra

Posted on 19 April, 2019

On Thursday 25 April, we stop and remember the service people who have served and sacrificed their livelihood, time and lives for our present.

Whether you’re looking for ways to reflect or relax, here’s what’s happening in Canberra.

COMMEMORATION

Credit: Martin Ollman

DAWN SERVICE

The Dawn Service happens at the Australian War Memorial every year on April 25. This service takes time to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) service men and women who have and continue to fight for our countries in war.

Prior to the service, from 4.30 am you can hear excerpts read from letters and diaries of those who experienced war firsthand.

From 5.15 am, 15 minutes of silence will commence and then continue into the Dawn Service, which takes place between 5.30 am and 6 am.

Following the Dawn Service, the War Memorial will be hosting a gunfire breakfast at the Memorial’s Anzac Hall at 6.30 am.

The National Ceremony, The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony and the Last Post Ceremony will also take place throughout the course of the day.

From 4.30 am | The Australian War Memorial, Treloar Cresent Campbell

ANZAC DAY NATIONAL CEREMONY

Thursday 25 April 2019 marks the 104th anniversary of the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli. On this day the Australian War Memorial will host the ANZAC Day National Ceremony, starting from 10.30 am.

The ceremony follows the traditional order of service including a Commemorative Address, wreath laying, hymns, the sounding of the Last Post, observance of one minute’s silence, and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.

This year’s Commemorative Address will be delivered by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).

10.30 am – 12.30 pm | The Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

THE PEDLAR

There will be live music and the Anzac Day test will be played for the footy fans.

65 Constitution Ave, Campbell

MERCURE CANBERRA

Live entertainment from 6 pm.

Corner of Ainslie & Limestone Ave, Braddon

HOPSCOTCH

Live entertainment from 5 pm.

5 Lonsdale St, Braddon

The Supper Club at Molly – Live Late Night Jazz

From 9.30pm you can enjoy some club hits from 100 years ago. The 6-piece group will comprise of bango, sousaphone, trombone, trumpet, clarinet and percussion, there is no cover charge but booth bookings are required.

9.30 pm Thursday 25 April | Odgers Lane, Canberra

FAMILY + ART

A Wild Night Out at Tidbinbilla

If you are looking for some family time over the Anzac Day public holiday, look no further than Canberra’s ultimate sleepover in the wilderness.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is hosting a Pop-Up Wilderness Family Camp which includes your overnight stay in glamping tents, five unique day and night ranger activities, dinner, campfire fun under the stars, breakfast as well as a day pass to explore the native flora and fauna of Tidbinbilla after checkout.

Prices and details are available here | Paddys River Rd, Paddys River

Berder Gaba Urrknga Wantja

This exhibition showing at the Nishi Gallery showcases ceramic works by Indigenous artists living in remote areas across Australia and the Torres Straight Islands.

Open from 2.30 pm – 6.30 pm and entry is free | Nishi Gallery, 17 Kendall Lane, New Acton

The National Museum of Australia

The National Museum will still be open if you want to immerse yourself in history on this day of remembrance.

Have a look at the First Australian exhibition which takes a look at the spirituality, diversity, identity and survival of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or The Historical Expression of Chinese Art exhibition which showcases calligraphy and paintings from the National Museum of China.

Lawson Cres, Acton

THE DRESSMAKER COSTUME EXHIBITION

From 1950s Dungatar to 2019 Canberra, the original costumes from the hit film The Dressmaker will be on display at the NFSA from 18 April 2019.

Audiences will be able to go ‘behind the seams’ of a diverse range of elegant vintage fashion worn by Hollywood stars and home-grown acting talents including Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Judy Davis, Rebecca Gibney and more.

The exhibition, designed by Marion Boyce, features a spectacular range of haute couture worn by the film’s stars.

The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition celebrates the artistry of the film’s sumptuous designs, as well as the transformational power of fashion.

Showing from Thursday 18 April until Sunday 18 August from 10 am – 4 pm at the National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton.

See nfsa.gov.au for more information.

Art for lunch: Shakespeare’s Women

If you feel like celebrating women on this commemorative day, The National Gallery of Australia have teamed with John Kachoyan, Director of Essential Theatre and Three Birds Theare’s Enter Ophelia in order to host an Art for lunch event.

This event discusses the portrayal of Shakespeare’s female characters in art.

Starts at 12.45 pm. Temporary Exhibitions Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Pl, Parkes.

TWO-UP

Two-up is a game only legal one day of the year, ANZAC Day. It is played in RSL clubs, hotels and pubs across the country and involves betting money on a coin toss.

Here is a list of your local venues that will be partaking in the fun and games.