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!!! ANZAC DAY Dawn Service !!!
Date: Wed April 25 - 2012
Time: 4:30 am - 7:00 am
Location: Magnetic Island RSL Hall - Arcadia
On Wednesday 25 April Magnetic Island RSL will host the 2012 ANZAC Day Service. A pre-dawn march will begin at the RSL Hall in Arcadia and end at Alma Park where the dawn Memorial Service is held. After the ceremony participants are invited back to the RSL for a hearty breakfast. This is a particulary moving service and if you have not experienced it before, it is highly recommended.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are wanting to join the Gunfire Breakfast, 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.
ANZAC DAY PROGRAM - Wednesday 25 April:
04:40hrs: Gunfire Breakfast RSL Hall
(A traditional partaking of rum and milk)
04:40hrs: Gunfire Breakfast RSL Hall
(A traditional partaking of rum and milk)
05:20hrs: Gunfire finishes: Wreaths and flags are collected.
"RIGHT MARKER" Parade Commander assembles marchers.
05:25hrs: March to Alma Bay via Hayles Avenue.
05:30hrs: Memorial Service
• Address by RSL President
• Adderss by Minister
• Last Post
• The Ode
• Wreath laying
• Reveille
Advance Australia Fair
06:15hrs: March back to RSL
06:30hrs: Rimfire Breakfast RSL grounds - with the bar open until 1pm.
Transport and accommodation
• Sealink is providing an early ferry to Magnetic Island for the service, departing Townsville at 4am. Please check with Sealink with regards to this service as priority will be given to the following people:
A) Returning service men and women
B) Current Servicemen
C) Invited Guests
D) Families of RSL’s
A) Returning service men and women
B) Current Servicemen
C) Invited Guests
D) Families of RSL’s
• Sunbus is providing a bus service from the ferry to the RSL Memorial Hall, departing Nelly Bay at 4:30am. Sunbus is also providing bus services from Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay to Alma Bay, departing 5am.
If you are intending to be at the dawn service on Wednesday, you will need to book accommodation on Magnetic Island on the Tuesday night prior.
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".