General News
20 April, 2026
Cassowary Coast community will always remember them
PROGRAMS have been finalised across the region for services, marches and parades, wreath-laying, gunfire breakfasts and lunches to commemorate this year’s ANZAC Day on Saturday 25 April.
In Cardwell, a dawn service will be held at the Cenotaph on Victoria St (Bruce Highway) from 5.45am, a parade to Tully’s dawn service will start at 5.30am at Tigers Leagues (RSL), the Cenotaph at Fitzgerald Esplanade will be the venue for Innisfail’s dawn service and the dawn services at El Arish and Babinda will get underway well before sunrise – at 4am.
Parades and marches will be held in all of those towns, some with lunches or refreshments afterward.
Babinda RSL sub branch executive committee secretary Jenni Stone said that its “executive and members are pleased to report that preparations for this year’s ANZAC Day commemorative activities are well underway and progressing smoothly”.
“The sub branch is privileged to have the ongoing support of local organisations, such as the Babinda Lions Club, the Babinda branch of the QCWA and our local school students and staff,” she said.
“Their continued involvement, along with the strong backing of the wider Babinda and surrounding district communities, plays a vital role in ensuring our commemorations remain meaningful and well attended.
“This year, the peace bell housed in the Babinda RSL bell tower will be rung, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and service of past generations, and of the freedoms Australians continue to enjoy as a result.”
There are several opportunities for anyone wishing to join the services and commemorations in various areas of the Cassowary Coast and at Babinda, as detailed in the programs set out below.
TULLY – Tully RSL Sub-Branch
Dawn service, Mitchell Park, Tully
5.30am – Ex-service personnel and citizens assemble at the Tigers Leagues Club
6.00am – Parade to Mitchell Park Cenotaph via Bryant St
6.10am – ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ wreaths laid
6.40am – Gunfire breakfast at Tigers Leagues Club (RSL)
ANZAC Day main service, Tully
9.40am – Parade assembles at Butler and Still streets
9.50am – Parade falls in
10.00am – March to Mitchell Park Cenotaph
10.15am – ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ wreaths laid
11.00am – Ceremony completed
Lunch – ANZAC lunch follows at Tigers Leagues Club (RSL) – nominal charge applies
MISSION BEACH – Tully RSL Sub-Branch
Dawn service – Rotary Park/ANZAC Memorial, Reid Rd, Wongaling Beach (Mission Beach)
5.30am – Arrival time
5.45 – 6am – Dawn service
6.00am – 8am – Gunfire breakfast for a donation
EL ARISH – Tully RSL Sub-Branch
4am – Assemble at El Arish Community Hall
4.20am – Parade proceeds to El Arish Cenotaph
Commemorative ceremony
4.28am – Community commemoration ceremony, return to community hall for traditional tea and toast, presentation of school ANZAC awards and El Arish history station display
6.30am – El Arish history station open to public for traditional ANZAC breakfast
INNISFAIL – Innisfail RSL Sub-Branch
Dawn service at Cenotaph
5.30am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph, Jack Fossey Park, Fitzgerald Esplanade
7.00am – Gunfire breakfast – Innisfail RSL
8.00am – ANZAC mass – Mother of Good Counsel Church, Innisfail
9.30am – Street march – from Innisfail Cenotaph, Jack Fossey Park, Fitzgerald Esplanade
10.00am – Return to RSL
CARDWELL – Cardwell RSL Sub-Branch
Dawn service at Cenotaph, Victoria St (Bruce Highway)
5.45-6.30am – Dawn service at the cenotaph
6.30-7.30am – Gunfire breakfast at the RSL, 36 Roma St, Cardwell
March and main service
10.45am-12.00pm – March forms up opposite the ‘Ob-La-Di’ shop on the Esplanade Walkway at 10.45am
ANZAC Day lunch
12.30pm-2pm ANZAC Day luncheon at RSL from 12.30pm ($20)
BABINDA – Babinda RSL Sub-Branch
Dawn service
4am – Assemble at the RSL hall
4.14am – Fall in/community gather at ANZAC Park
4.20am – Veterans march to ANZAC Park Cenotaph, followed by service and wreath laying
Commemorative service
9.45am – Parade assembles at the RSL hall
9:55am – Fall in
10am – Commemorative march to ANZAC Park cenotaph for commemorative service
10.45am – Commemorative service attendees are invited back to the RSL memorial hall. Light refreshments and drinks will be available to buy from QCWA Babinda branch and Babinda Lions.
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