From the Sea to the Sand: Honouring the ANZAC Spirit in Cronulla

25 Apr

The Ceremony

On April 25th, 2025, the Cronulla community came together once again to honour and remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Force. Hosted by the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch, this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations reflected on the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, bringing together thousands in a shared moment of remembrance.

This year held special significance as the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch commemorated its 100th anniversary. With a strong connection to the local community, the Sub-Branch hosted one of the largest commemorative services in the Southern Metropolitan Area, with a large crowd. The stage was strategically positioned with Bate Bay as a backdrop, providing a breathtaking setting for the solemn occasion.

2025 marked the 99th ANZAC Day service hosted by the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch since receiving its charter from the former Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia in 1925. The only year the community did not come together for the service was in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The day began with the Dawn Service at 5:30am at Cronulla Park, commencing with a march along Gerrale Street into Cronulla Park. The Dawn Service was a powerful and solemn tribute to all those who served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The service featured wreath-laying ceremonies, moments of silence, and the playing of the Last Post, offering a moment for all attendees to honour and reflect. Also involved was a solemn catafalque party from the 4th/3rd Battalion, the Army Cadets, alongside impressive displays including a WWII jeep and an amphibious truck.

In a historic first, this year’s ceremony featured an address by Jenny Weir, the first female Sub-Branch Member to speak at the service—marking a significant moment in the ongoing story of Cronulla’s ANZAC Day tradition.

It was incredibly special to have so many of our local schools take part in this year’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Student leaders of Woolooware High School Captains Hannah Murdoch and Will Burgess, delivered the Kohima Epitaph. Cronulla High School Captains Ella Hewitt and Mason Boudville, recited the Thanksgiving. A special mention to De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah, whose students hand-crafted the commemorative crosses placed at the memorial — a touching and meaningful tribute. Seeing the younger generation so engaged reminds us that the ANZAC spirit lives on, passed with pride from one generation to the next.

Each ANZAC Day, Currumbin RSL hosts a poignant dawn service at Elephant Rock, culminating in a ceremonial scattering of ashes at sea. Since its inception in 2008, this tradition has grown, with surf boats carrying the ashes of veterans and community members offshore, symbolizing a final journey and honoring their service. This moving tribute, coordinated by the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club Boat Crew, has become an integral part of the commemorations, reflecting the community's deep respect and remembrance for those who served .

Inspired by this tradition, the Cronulla Sub-Branch's ANZAC Day Dawn Service saw the participation of local surf life saving clubs—Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, and Elouera. These clubs unite to perform a similar ceremony, with surf boats venturing into the waters off Cronulla Beach. This act serves as a powerful homage to the ANZACs, connecting the community to its maritime heritage and honoring the sacrifices of service members. The involvement of these clubs underscores the enduring bond between surf lifesaving communities and the legacy of those who served, reinforcing the spirit of remembrance and unity on this solemn day.

Download Order of Service

Wreath Layers

Wreaths are flowers and leaves woven into a circle. They are traditionally laid on graves and memorials in memory of the dead. We often lay 'Anzac wreaths' at war memorials as a way to remember those who have lost their lives serving Australia in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Organisations and individuals who lay wreaths at today’s ceremony include:

The Presidents of Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch and Cronulla RSL Memorial Club, Mr Cory Rinaldi and Mr John Brown, accompanied by the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club Chief Executive Officer Nathan Whiteside, will now place wreaths on the Memorial.
Honorary Secretary Matt Coady and General Committee Greg Crumblin on behalf of both the Cronulla RSL Sub Branch and Cronulla RSL Memorial Club in memory of Kerry Cattell.
The Hon. Simon Kennedy Federal Member for Cook.
The Hon. Mark Speakman MP – State Member for Cronulla and Leader of the Opposition
Councillors Kal Glanznig representing Mayor Jack Boyd on behalf of the Sutherland Shire Council.
Chief Inspector Michael Stuart on behalf of Sutherland Shire Police Area Command.
Tyrone Matoka on behalf of the Consulate-General of New Zealand.
Chief Executive Officer Dino Mezzetesta and General Manager of Partnerships Kylie Lucas, and player representatives Jada Taylor and Dan Atkinson representing the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Ian Jagger on behalf of Rep Ready in memory of Staff Sergeant Herbert Jagger, Royal Pioneer Corps, WW2.
Joshua Craig on behalf of Cronulla Branch, SES
Nipper Captains behalf of Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.
Life Member Gus Liu on behalf of Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking.
Dani Jackovich, Claire Durston, Jade Vinson, Jana Liessmann on behalf of Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo Club
Cronulla Public School
Our Lady Mercy College
South Cronulla Public School
St Aloysius College, Cronulla
Woolooware High School
Woolooware Public School
Cronulla High School
De La Salle Catholic College
Kurnell Public School
St Aloysius Catholic Primary School
St Francis de Sales Woolooware
Sandshoes Boardriding Club

Books In Lieu

The ‘Books in Lieu’ program was originally created to give members of the public and local businesses/community groups, an option of “books in lieu of wreaths” (meaning a donation, instead of a wreath laid on the Memorial as part of our service).

The program has been running for well over 25 years, and it is the hope our local businesses/community groups continue on this legacy in remembrance and also continue to support our local schools.

Organisations and individuals who participated in the Books in Lieu Program this year include:

Cronulla RSL Memorial Club
Cronulla RSL Table Tennis Club
Cronulla RSL Youth Hockey Club
Cronulla RSL 55 and over Club
Cronulla RSL Motoring Enthusiasts Group
Cronulla RSL Swimming Club
Cronulla RSL Chess Club
Cronulla Indoor Bowls Club
Cronulla Point Board Riders
Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo Club
Woolooware Golf Club In memory of Joseph O’Connell
Cronulla Polar Bears In memory of John Suann and Denis Ford
Wanda SLSC
North Cronulla SLSC
Elouera SLSC
La Cucina Gymea In memory of Flight Sergeant Milton Matthews RAAF and Private Harry Brennan Cartwright 7LHR
Gorick Family In memory of Private William Samuel Gorick KIA WW1
Robert Clenow In memory of William (Bill) Clemow Flt Sgt 221 Sqd KIA 28 April 1943
Peter Moroney, Hargans and Kemp families in memory of Alick Moroney, Jack Twomey and the 2nd/1st Field Regiment.
Wondering Women & Mermands
Tracey Clarke
Southside Malibu Club

Thank you

Cronulla RSL and the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch would like to extend their sincere thanks to the following organisations for their invaluable support.

We are especially grateful to the dedicated volunteers from Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club for providing First Aid services, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all in attendance.

We also acknowledge and appreciate the State Emergency Service (SES) Cronulla Unit for their vital assistance with crowd management, helping the event run smoothly and safely for everyone involved.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Sutherland Shire Council for their ongoing support and event assistance.

We recognise De La Salle Caringbah for their generous contribution in producing the white crosses, that are integral in our Books in Lieu program.

With sincere appreciation, we thank the Local Area Command for their support and dedicated presence at the Dawn Service, contributing to a meaningful and well-coordinated commemoration.