ANZAC Day 2022

RSL NSW has today announced that NSW-based ANZAC Day commemorations, including the Sydney CBD March, will proceed without COVID-related disruption on 25 April this year. 

RSL NSW President Ray James said that veterans of Middle East Operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, are invited to take a place of prominence in the Sydney CBD March, which attracts up to 15,000 veterans, their descendants, and observers. 

“Commemorating significant moments in our military history is vital to Australia, as a people, a community, and a nation,” Mr James said. 

“As the custodians of the ANZAC spirit, RSL NSW and its sub-Branches work tirelessly to ensure that people honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served their country in all conflicts.” 

This year marks the first anniversary of Australia’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of Australian’s large-scale military commitment to the Middle East since 1991, the 50th Anniversary of the withdrawal of the Australian Task Force from Vietnam, and the 80th anniversary of significant WWII battles to the north of Australia. 

Mr James said that the League is committed to ensuring that people have access to a range of options to commemorate ANZAC Day. After resounding national success, the RSL Australia ‘Light up the Dawn’ campaign will be promoted again this year. 

“ANZAC Day has always belonged to the Australian people and that was evident last two years when millions of people took to their driveways during the COVID-19 pandemic to personally commemorate veterans by lighting up the dawn,” Mr James said 

“I encourage the people of NSW to stay safe, and keep our vulnerable veterans safe, by commemorating locally this ANZAC Day.” 

For more information about the Martin Place Dawn Service, the Sydney CBD March, and commemorations taking place in communities across NSW, please visit www.rslnsw.org.au