How to commemorate Anzac Day in the capital this year

While tickets have been exhausted for both the National Ceremony and Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial, all around Canberra, grassroots organisations and small venues will be running their own events to allow the community to join together for Anzac Day.

“Whether people are commemorating at home, on their driveway, listening to the bugling of a neighbour or at the National Service, each of us will be recognising Anzac Day as a community,” Assistant Minister for Seniors, Veterans, Families and Community Services Emma Davidson said.

Canberrans are once again invited to Light Up the Dawn this year by standing at the end of their own driveways with a candle and radio/app playing The Last Post.

Royal Australian Navy veteran Grant Newham said his family participated in Light Up the Dawn last year and found it to be such a special way of commemorating the day that they’ll be doing the same again this year.

If you do want to get out of the house, we’ve compiled a few of the venues around town where you can mark the occasion. There are plenty of other pubs and clubs that will be hosting two-up, so make sure to contact your local and find out what they’ve got on.

Siren Bar

Doors will open at 5:00 am at Siren Bar and the Last Post to be played live. Their Gunfire Breakfast will be served from 6:00 am while you can play two-up from noon with proceeds going to Legacy. End the night with some live music from 6:00 pm. For more information, see their website.

Eastlake

Eastlake Football Clubs across town will be hosting two-up from 1:00 pm onwards.

See individual club websites for more information.

Edgar’s Inn

Edgar’s Inn in Ainslie will be open from 6:00 am on Sunday, with breakfast served from 6:30 am onwards.

From 3:00 pm, Dan Millane will be performing live in the beer garden (bookings encouraged).

All of the day’s best footy will also be broadcast on the big screens.

Walt & Burley

Walt & Burley is offering a special brunch menu and a traditional game of two-up by the lakeside.

Join them from 6:00 am onwards after the dawn service. Two-up starts at 2:00 pm. A 10 per cent discount will be offered to all service people.

Book online or by calling 6239 6648.

The Dock

The Dock invites you to join them for their biggest and best day of the year. From 5:30 am onwards, the Dawn Service will be broadcast for Kingston Foreshore before The Dock opens for breakfast with specials from 8:30 am.

Funds raised from a Karma Keg on the day will go to Soldier On.

From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, two-up will be played, before live music starts at 6:00 pm and there’ll be footy on the big screens.

Assembly

Assembly will open its doors at 5:00 am. The day will begin with the Dawn Service being broadcast live. Hot drinks will be available.

Two-up starts at midday, with stadium seating and standing installed in the beer garden. The event will be hosted by local legends Bubba Ryan and Bruce Thornton, Canberra’s best spinners.

The AFL and NRL will also be shown throughout the afternoon.

Bookings are only possible for groups larger than 20. No holiday surcharge will be applied.

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is opening its doors at 10:00 am, before two-up from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Live music starts at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, followed by DJs.

EQ

Region Media’s local, EQ Cafe & Lounge in Deakin, will be open from 5:30 am to 1:30 pm, offering an all-day breakfast menu as well as limited lunch options.

Bookings are essential via 6161 1666 or [email protected].

Jerrabomberra Hotel

The Dawn Service will be returning this year at 5:30 am at the Jerrabomberra Hotel. Rotary will be in attendance to supply the brekkie rolls, and there will be a complimentary tea and coffee station indoors.

After last year’s cancellation, the local remembrance service is being held as usual. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no two-up.

See their Facebook page for more details.

Original Article published by Lottie Twyford on The RiotACT.