Western Sydney Local Health District to honour ANZAC Day 2021 with special ceremonies

20 Apr, 2021, 4:23 pm21 Apr, 2021, 9:50 am Sarah Mason

ANZAC Day, one of the nation’s most important commemorations, marks a time to stop and remember the service men and women who served and died to defend our freedom.

This ANZAC Day, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) will be hosting four of our own memorial services at Westmead, Auburn, Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals.

These memorial services will be open to both staff and the public wishing to attend and are also an opportunity to thank WSLHD staff members who are veterans themselves.

WSLHD Chief Executive Graeme Loy is encouraging all those who can attend to do so whilst adhering to social distancing measures.

“It is important for us as a district to honour the sacrifice of others and commemorate an important part of our nation’s history,” Graeme said.

“It’s a time to honour those who have fought and also pay tribute to the doctors and nurses who cared for the sick and wounded – both in the past, in modern theatres of war, and during peacekeeping efforts.”

Auburn ANZAC ceremony 2019 – Gemma Ma (Bugler)

Services across WSLHD and western Sydney

WSLHD will be hosting the following Anzac Day Memorial Services:

Auburn Hospital: Friday, April 23, 9:30am at the ANZAC memorial (near the main entrance).
Westmead Hospital: Friday, April 23, 10:30am at the Forecourt (Level 2 new entrance).
Blacktown Hospital: Monday, April 26, 10:00am at the Anzac Memorial site (next to the pedestrian crossing and main entrance).
Mount Druitt Hospital: Monday, April 26, 10:00am at the front of Mount Druitt Hospital (near the ED entrance).

If you are looking to attend a local dawn service, the following western Sydney venues will be holding COVID safe ceremonies:

Parramatta RSL, Sunday, 25 April, 4.30am
Epping RSL, Sunday, April 25, 6.00am
St Mary’s RSL, Sunday April 25, 5:00am
Smithfield RSL, Sunday April 25, 5:00am
Seven Hills RSL, Sunday April 25, 6:00am (Registration required prior to April 25)
Merrylands RSL, Sunday April 25, 5:15am

Light up the Dawn

After the great response in 2020, RSL NSW is once again encouraging the Australian community to Light up the Dawn, for those who are unable to attend a Dawn Service.

At 6am on ANZAC Day, go to the end of your driveway or stand on your balcony and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

For those working across our District at 6am, mark the moment in or outside your ward as a sign of remembrance.

As the nation continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps’ landing in Gallipoli in 1915. This was a disastrous campaign that came to define the ‘ANZAC spirit’ of courage, camaraderie and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.