There is no doubting the importance of Anzac Day on our annual National calendar. While it is day to remember, reflect and pay respects it is also a day of hope. One of the unspoken themes of the day is the hope that we will never have to add names to the list of soldiers that are sent off to war or that die in battle protecting one of our rights or freedoms.
This year, our Anzac Day will fall in the shadow of a terrible event in Christchurch, New Zealand. Sadly the cause of that tragedy appears to be nestled in the bosom of 2 dangerous ideas: white supremacy and hatred. As we look solemnly at our war memorials on Anzac Day this year we should take the time to reflect on the names of our fallen soldiers that served during World War II. That war had its origins in Europe based on white supremacy and hatred. It is my sincere hope that we, as a global people, can defy the temptation of hatred in all of its forms.
Avoiding war, as always, requires patience and care for our fellow man. Perhaps that is something worth remembering on Anzac Day 2019.
My deep and sincere regards for all that have served and those that have lost someone that has served.
Click here to download our ANZAC Day Commemorative Brochure which includes: From the Bush to the Battlefield, Sergeant John Tracey, A Place Where Young Men Rest, Millfield Soldiers Gallentry, A Story of Mateship, The Legend of the Miners Lamp, Cessnock’s Villis Brothers, Greta Army Camp, Weston’s Billingham Brothers, and ANZAC Day Services & Ceremony details.
ANZAC Day 2019 — Services and Ceremonies
Abermain – 8.30am – March from the corner of Bathurst Street and Cessnock Road to the Jeffries Park Cenotaph for 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. 11.45am – Main Service at Branxton Rotunda.
Broke – 5.30am – Dawn Service at Broke War Memorial, Broke Street, Broke. 10.00am – Morning 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.
Cameron Park – Closest Service West Wallsend (see below).
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. 11.15am – March from the former Cessnock Ex-Services Club, along Vincent Street to the Cenotaph for the Service.
Edgeworth – Closest Service West Wallsend (see below).
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.
Holmesville – Closest Service West Wallsend (see below).
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. Breakfast will follow at Kurri Kurri Bowling Club. 9.45am – March from Mitre 10 to the Cenotaph. 10.00am – Service at the Cenotaph.
Neath – 10.30am – Lighting of the Miner’s Lamp at Neath Hotel, Cessnock Road, Neath.
Millfield – 5.15am – 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.
Weston – 9.00am – March from Weston RSL sub-Branch Hall, Cessnock Road, Weston to the Cenotaph in Weston Memorial Park. 9.20am – Service at the Cenotaph.
West Wallsend – 10.00am – Service at West Wallsend Soldiers Memorial Park, corner of Carrington and Hydes Streets, West Wallsend.
Wollombi – 5.45am – Service at Wollombi Anzac Reserve, corner of Wollombi and Narone Creek Roads, Wollombi.