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On Friday 25 April Magnetic Island RSL will host the 2014 ANZAC Day Service. For those marching, a Gunfire Breakfast is provided at the RSL from 4.45am. Marchers form up at 5.10am, step off at 5.20am. Thuringowa Pipe Band will lead the march from the RSL Hall from approximately 5.10am and end at Alma Park where the Dawn Memorial Service is held at 5.30am. Community members are invited to take part in the ceremony by laying a wreath. After the ceremony everyone is invited back to the RSL for a hearty breakfast, refreshments, camaraderie and the traditional game of two-up. Closing time is 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. 4.45am, 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 4.25am Magnetic Island Sunbus will transport passengers from Nelly Bay Terminal to the RSL.
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 EVE PROGRAM: Thursday 24 April
An Ecumenical Service will be held at St Margaret’s Church, Endeavour Road, Arcadia, commencing at 7.30pm. All welcome.
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".