BELLINGER River RSL sub-branch has confirmed it will conduct this year’s ANZAC Day memorial services at Bellingen and Repton, following recent news that Coffs Harbour local government area RSL sub-branches have decided not to hold their Dawn Services and ANZAC Day marches at their local town cenotaphs.

RSL Sub-branches at Urunga, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Coffs Harbour last month approved the holding of a joint Coffs Coast Community ANZAC Day Commemorative Service at C.ex International Stadium, instead of at local town cenotaphs, in response to strict COVID-19 regulations in place for ANZAC Day events this year.

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The COVID-compliant Remembrance Service will be a seated event restricted to an approved number, which is 3,000 at this stage.

Coffs Harbour City councillor Keith Rhoades spoke out against the change to this year’s ANZAC Day services, which are usually held at local town cenotaphs, and called on the State Government to allow regional towns to conduct their ANZAC Day ceremonies at their local cenotaphs and for the Government to be more flexible with the COVID-19 restrictions being placed on ANZAC Day services in regional NSW towns.

Bellinger River RSL Sub-branch president Rick Maunder confirmed that the branch’s Dawn Service and main ANZAC Day service will be conducted at Bellingen War Memorial, and a Dawn Service will also be held at Repton.

“Although Covid-19 has impacted our ceremonies in a number of ways we will still conduct them in our locality,” Mr Maunder said.

The Bellingen ANZAC Dawn Service will commence at 5:30am at Bellingen War Memorial on the corner of Oak and Hyde Streets.

Due to the pandemic, the usual public breakfast following the Dawn Service will not be held.

The Repton ANZAC Dawn Service will commence at 5:30am at the Repton Memorial, at the junction of Bailey Street and Mylestom Drive.

Bellingen’s ANZAC Day Main Service will commence at 9am at Bellingen War Memorial.

Due to the pandemic, march participants will not be marching to and from the memorial.

There will be an opportunity for the public to lay floral tributes during the service.

Attendees at the commemorative services will be requested to use the provided NSW Government QR code and maintain physical distancing.

By Emma DARBIN