ANZAC Day 2021 looks set to go ahead this year, albeit in the shadow of the ongoing COVID threat. Personally, my family’s 2020 dawn service, at the end of our driveway, with neighbours just a small safe distance away, will long live in my memory.
The COVID threat is not too different to the “Spanish Flu” that spread across the world a little over 100 years ago. Records show that the virus causing the Spanish Flu was identified early, in State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock Army Camps in America. It quickly found its way from America to Europe on transport ships heading to the Western Front.
Media at the time were heavily censored, but Spain was a neutral country, having not entered the war, so reporting on this virus as it ravaged that country was approved. This led to the inaccurate term “Spanish Flu”.
That illness killed tens of millions of people, who at that time were malnourished, fatigued and living with poor hygiene as a result of the war effort.
Fortunately, in 2021 we have an advanced health system and we live in a world that is not currently at war with itself on a global scale.
Click here to download our 2021 ANZAC Day Commemorative Brochure which includes: Holmesville’s Alfred White, Enemy Attack on Home Soil, Captain Arthur Mackenzie, Paxton Aircraftman Crosdale, Local Legend Athol Partridge, Private Henry Reuben Rundle, Cessnock’s Sergeant Buttsworth, Kurri Kurri’s Jery Donovan, Cadet Journalist Richard Hills and the Heroic Brothers of Abermain.
Please note marches and services may be subject to change due to Public Health orders and Covid-19 restrictions.
ANZAC Day 2021 — Services and Ceremonies
Abermain – 9.00am – March cancelled. Service will be held at Abermain Bowling & Recreational Club 9am sharp. Breakfast will be served at the Club after the Service.
Branxton – 5.30am – Dawn Service at the Branxton Rotunda, John Rose Avenue, Branxton. 11:30am – Town March – Form up 11:15am in front of old Branxton Inn and Paper shop. 11:45am – Main Service – Branxton Rotunda for day Memorial Service.
Broke – 5.45am Dawn Service at Broke War Memorial, Broke Street, Broke. 10.00am – Service at Broke War Memorial.
Brunkerville – 3.00pm – Uniting Church in Memorial Garden.
Bulga – 10.45am – Gather at Bulga Recreation Ground, The Inlet Road, Bulga. 11.00am – Service at the Recreation Ground.
Cessnock – 5.30am – Dawn Service at the Cessnock Cenotaph which is located in the grounds of Cessnock TAFE, North Avenue, Cessnock. 9.30am – Morning Service at Veteran’s Park, Aberdare Road, Aberdare. 11.00am – March from the Vincent St Kitchen + Bar, along Vincent Street to the Cenotaph for the Service in the TAFE grounds.
Greta – 5.30am – Dawn Service at Greta War Memorial Cenotaph, New England Highway, Greta. 9.30am – March from the corner of Nelson Street and the New England Highway to the Cenotaph for the Service. 10.00am – Main Service commences.
Kearsley – 5.15am – March from Kearsley Tennis Court to the Cenotaph at Kearsley Community Hall, Allandale Street, Kearlsey. 5.30am – Service at the Cenotaph. Breakfast will follow inside the Hall.
Kurri Kurri – 5.00am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Rotary Park, corner of Lang and Hampden Streets, Kurri Kurri. 10:00am – Service at the Cenotaph.
Neath – 10.30am – Lighting of the Miner’s Lamp at Neath Hotel, Cessnock Road, Neath.
Millfield – 9.00am – Gather at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Wollombi Road, Millfield and march to Millfield Public School for the Service.
Paxton – 5.10am – Gather at the corner of McDonald and Anderson Avenues, Paxton and march to Paxton Public School for the Service
Putty – 10.00am – Service at Putty Community Hall, Putty Valley Road, Putty Valley.
West Wallsend – 2021 Service and march cancelled. Will be back in 2022.
Wollombi – 5.45am – Service at Wollombi Anzac Reserve, corner of Wollombi and Narone Creek Roads, Wollombi.