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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National

War Memorial building works sees this year's national Anzac Day ceremony scrapped but dawn service and march will go ahead

The 2019 Anzac Day national ceremony. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos

Building works at the Australian War Memorial have seen the traditional mid-morning national Anzac Day ceremony scrapped from proceedings for this year.

There will still be a dawn service and a parade of veterans on the day, Monday, April 25, the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

On what will be the 80th anniversary of Anzac Day commemorations at the memorial, this year's event has been affected by the $500 million redevelopment works at the site.

The memorial said this week: "Due to the ongoing development project works at the memorial, including enhancements to the Parade Ground, the mid-morning National Ceremony will not take place".

This year's commemorative program will include:

5.30am: Dawn Service

9.30am: RSL (ACT Branch) Veterans' March

4.45pm: Anzac Day Last Post Ceremony

The dawn service and veterans' March will take place in the Sculpture Garden in the western grounds of the memorial precinct.

Following the veterans' march, the Anzac Day address to the nation will be televised and livestreamed from the memorial's commemorative area including to large screens for public viewing in the memorial's western grounds.

Members of the public will be able to lay a tribute or wreath at the Stone of Remembrance in the Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard after the dawn service or throughout the day.

Director Matt Anderson said the memorial was looking forward to welcoming thousands to Anzac Day commemorations at the memorial, and encouraged people who are unable to attend to tune into the ABC's national broadcast.

"We encourage all Australians to take the time to reflect upon the service and sacrifice made by Australians in all wars and on operations," he said.

Veterans wishing to participate in the ACT RSL Veterans' March can register online via www.actrsl.org.au.

The memorial, with Transport ACT, will be running free shuttle buses from various locations to the commemorations. For further information go to www.awm.gov.au

Visitors can book a free ticket to the Last Post ceremony here

Tickets are limited and will be in high demand.

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