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On Saturday 25 April Magnetic Island RSL will host the 2015 ANZAC Day Service. This year ANZAC Day marks the centenary of the Gallipoli ANZAC landing on the 25th April, 1915 and everybody is invited to attend the Magnetic Island ANZAC Day Dawn Service to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian service men and women.
The march from the RSL Hall will comprise of well over 100 service members and it promises to be the most memorable ANZAC Day Magnetic Island has yet experienced.
Military landing craft will also be anchored just off shore of Alma Bay to symbolise the landing event and will fire off a salvo at 05:30.
An absolute must-see will be the substantial and informative display of ANZAC information and memorabilia which has been set up by the RSL's ex-President, Pat Trewin. Also on display will be 280 hand knitted and crocheted red Flanders poppies, the universal symbol of sacrifice since as early as the 12th century.
ANZAC DAY MAGNETIC ISLAND:
04:30: Meet at the RSL Hall, Hayles Ave, Arcadia.
05:10: Parade Marshall assembles parade in front of RSL.
05:20: Parade marches to Stone of Remembrance at Alma Bay.
05.30: Dawn Memorial Service commences at Alma Bay.
05.30: Dawn Memorial Service commences at Alma Bay.
Community members are invited to take part in the ceremony by laying a wreath. After the service is completed, the public is warmly invited to join the RSL at the Memorial Hall for breakfast, raffles, a game of traditional two-up and catching up with friends and acquaintances over a drink. A Quartet will provide live music throughout the morning. The day concludes at 1pm. This is a particulary moving service and if you have not experienced it before, it is highly recommended.
Early morning Magnetic Island Bus Service: From approx. 4.30am, Magnetic Island Sunbus will pick up passengers (along the main road only) from Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay and bring them to Alma Bay.
Traveling from Townsville? Sealink is providing a ferry departing from the Breakwater Terminal at 4am for Townsville people to attend our Dawn Service. At 4.30am Magnetic Island Sunbus will transport passengers from Nelly Bay Terminal to the RSL.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are wanting to join the march, please leave your car at Alma Bay Park and walk to the RSL Hall via Hayles Ave, as parking will not be availalbe at the hall.
The Origins of the Dawn Service
The Dawn Service observed on Anzac day has its origins in an operational routine which is observed by the Australian Army today. The half-light of dawn plays tricks with soldiers' eyes and from the earliest times the half hour or so before dawn, with all its grey, misty shadows, became one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were therefore woken up in the dark, before dawn so that by the time the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert and manning their weapons. This was, and still is, known as "Stand to".
The Dawn Service observed on Anzac day has its origins in an operational routine which is observed by the Australian Army today. The half-light of dawn plays tricks with soldiers' eyes and from the earliest times the half hour or so before dawn, with all its grey, misty shadows, became one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were therefore woken up in the dark, before dawn so that by the time the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert and manning their weapons. This was, and still is, known as "Stand to".