Albany Anzac Day 2023: Packed program made possible by support of a number of organisations says Albany RSL

A whole lot of work and support from the community and businesses ensures a high-quality Albany Anzac Day every year, according to Albany RSL sub-branch service director Michael Tugwell. Mr Tugwell, a former regimental sergeant-major in the Australian Army, has co-ordinated Anzac Day proceedings in Albany for the past five years. “We had a meeting here last night and I was talking about contractors who have kept their prices at a 2019 level who I suspect would be losing money on what they provide us,” he said. “The same people step up each year in the background, and that sort of support makes things so much easier. “I often get asked ‘how many organisations are involved in Anzac Day?’ and I tell them it’s between 50 and 60, but I get a headache just trying to count.” At the dawn service, Isobella Zeibari will do a letter-reading and Lt-Col John Coleman of the New Zealand Defence Force will deliver the address. The Albany Air Force Cadet Drum Corps will lead the march for the first time, and they will be joined by mounted police and the Albany 10th Light Horse Troop. Upwards of 1000 participants are expected to take part in the march, although this will depend on a variety of factors like the weather. At the main commemorative service, Eh Tha Mee Shaw will perform a reading and the keynote address will be delivered by Mr Tugwell. “What I have to say will be a bit different to what you might hear from other people,” Mr Tugwell said. “I’ll be talking about the support of families and aspects of World War II.” A fly-past, then a final march, will bring the day’s formalities to a close before the RSL invites the community to a public Anzac Day function which will run from midday to 5pm at the Stirling Club. Two-up will be played at the function from 1pm, and a raffle with substantial donated prizes will be drawn about 2pm. Albany Anzac Day Tuesday April 25. TRADITIONAL ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICETime: 5.30am-6amVenue: Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, Mount Clarence DAWN SERVICE SHUTTLE BUSESStart time: From 3.30am at 15-minute intervalsPick-up location: Albany Entertainment Centre or Middleton Beach Bus Port DAWN SERVICE LIVE STREAM (ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE)Time: 5am-6amVenue: Albany Entertainment Centre DAWN SERVICE LIVE STREAM (ANZAC PEACE PARK)Time: 5am-6amVenue: Anzac Peace ParkThe Anzac Dawn Service will also be live streamed on the National Anzac Centre website and Facebook page. GUNFIRE BREAKFASTOne of the traditions of Anzac Day is the gunfire breakfast (coffee with rum added to it) which occurs shortly after many dawn ceremonies and recalls the “breakfast” taken by many soldiers before facing battle.Time: 6am-8.30amVenue: Albany Entertainment CentreCost: $5 donation to the RSL ANZAC DAY TROOP MARCHTraditional RSL parade along York Street.Time: 10am-10.30amVenue: York Street, Albany COMMEMORATIVE SERVICETime: 10.30am-11.30amVenue: Anzac Peace Park PUBLIC ANZAC DAY FUNCTIONTime: Midday-5pmVenue: Stirling Club, above the RSLCost: $5 entry fee, free entry for those wearing medal.