Attend the ANZAC Day March in Melbourne

There are three ways by which an individual can participate in the March:

• As a former or current member of the Australian Defence Force
• As a Veteran of a Commonwealth or Allied Force
• As a descendant of an Australian, Commonwealth or Allied Veteran who are wearing the campaign medals of their forebears on the right side of their chest

All veterans are encouraged to join the Melbourne ANZAC Day March. We welcome participation from anyone who has served and look forward to your presence during this important event.

If you wish to march, please read the following important information regarding veteran participation.

Veterans who have been issued with medals are asked to wear them when marching.

Veterans using mobility aids are encouraged to participate, noting that the March route is approximately two kilometres. Please note that only one family member or friend may assist you during the March. The safety of all participants during this crowded event is paramount.

For more than a century, the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) has been helping transport veterans with mobility issues to participate in the Melbourne ANZAC Day March. This is a personalised service offered to veterans who require assistance getting to and from the March. RSL Victoria is proud and deeply appreciative of this long-standing partnership with the RACV.

This service includes:

• transportation from the home address, along the March route to watch from the RACV marquee, and return transport home at the conclusion of the March
• transportation from the home address, participation in the March with a unit, and return transport home
• transportation in the March only (no transport to or from home)

Veteran eligibility to march is based on the same criteria required to become a Service Member of the RSL — that is, any person who has served in the Australian Defence Force for at least one day. Veterans should assemble with one of the service units or associations of which they are or were a member.

The choice of where to march is a personal one. However, it is recommended that those who served together should march together, as an act of remembrance and mateship.

Veterans should be clearly identifiable by their campaign medals and should be at the head of each national group. Medals or awards earned from a nation that was in conflict with Australia or the Commonwealth are not to be worn in the Melbourne ANZAC Day March.

Dress should reflect the occasion. Traditional or national dress (including headdress) is not appropriate. Commonwealth and Allied contingents will form up in accordance with the Order of March and under the direction of the March marshals.

Displays of foreign national flags are restricted to one per group. Flags of nations that were used when those nations were in conflict with the Commonwealth or Australia are not permitted. The display of historical flags or ensigns of nations that no longer exist is also inappropriate.

Banners are restricted to one per group and must not contain political slogans. Only banners pre-approved by the ANZAC Commemoration Council will be permitted in the March.

Descendants of veterans are welcomed and encouraged to participate, but they will not march in front of veterans.

A descendant of a veteran may participate as a carer (one per veteran), as part of a banner party, or as a flag carrier, regardless of their eligibility for RSL membership.

Other descendants will be directed to march in a place of prominence in front of the Commonwealth and Allies contingent. Only one descendant per veteran may honour their relative’s service by wearing the veteran’s medals on their right side. Veterans’ medals must always be worn on the right when worn by descendants.

All descendants should ensure their dress reflects the occasion. The display of photos or memorabilia, and the pushing of prams or pushers, is not permitted due to safety concerns.

Descendants of Commonwealth and Allied veterans are encouraged to participate at the invitation of the contingent leader or organiser. Descendants must march behind the veterans within the national group, and dress should reflect the occasion. Traditional or national dress (including headdress) is not permitted.

National groups may include no more than 30 descendants, including banner and flag bearers. The display of photos or memorabilia, and the pushing of prams or pushers, is not permitted for safety reasons.

The March provides an opportunity for the public to honour and recognise those who have served and who continue to serve in defence of Australia and its interests. Barriers are positioned along the March route and within the Shrine of Remembrance precinct to ensure a clear path for marchers and the safety of the public. Members of the public are warmly invited to view the March from outside the barriers.

All March participants should be in their allocated assembly area at least one hour before the expected time for their formation to step off. The listed form-up times are the latest arrival times for marchers, and all participants are encouraged to arrive well before these times.

As the head of each unit approaches the Eternal Flame, hats are to be removed (following either the unit leader’s movements or direct instruction), and the right hand placed over the heart. This position should be maintained until the unit is clear of the Eternal Flame, at which point hats may be replaced and hands lowered.

Heads are to be turned right towards the Eternal Flame when passing. Banners and flags are to be dipped. Defence formations are to salute the Eternal Flame as they pass it. Marshals will be positioned on the Shrine Forecourt to provide directions for ‘Eyes Right’ at the Eternal Flame and the ‘Left Wheel’ to proceed to the dismissal area past the flags.

Formations and units are to be dismissed after they have marched past the flagpoles on the eastern side of the Shrine Forecourt. Marchers are requested to move well clear of the dismissal area after completing the March.

The only vehicles permitted along the March route are RACV vehicles transporting veterans who are unable to march. These vehicles will travel as a group along the route to the Shrine of Remembrance.

As ANZAC Day is non-political, RSL Victoria requests that all marchers, including Allied groups, submit any banner designs intended for use during the March for approval by the ANZAC Commemoration Council (ACC). All wording on banners must be in English. This measure ensures consistency and appropriateness.

Please contact RSL Victoria if you wish to submit a banner for consideration by the ACC:
Phone: 03 9655 5504
Email: anzacdayevent@rslvic.com.au

The ANZAC Day March is an act of remembrance and commemoration. Dress should reflect the dignity of the occasion. Jackets with collared shirts and ties for men, and equivalent attire for women, should be considered. Children accompanying adults should be of an age capable of completing the March and dressed appropriately.

Examples of clothing considered inappropriate for the occasion include:

• clothing displaying racist, derogatory, sexist or profane messaging, imagery or symbolism
• clothing that is inappropriately revealing or sexually provocative
• national dress or costume
• sporting paraphernalia

The Melbourne ANZAC Day Commemoration March is not a parade. Therefore, no vehicles, animals, weaponry or memorabilia (including historical uniforms) may be included without prior approval from RSL Victoria as the March organiser. Escorts to Colours and catafalque parties may carry arms.

Please do not carry photographs while marching.

Due to participant numbers and safety requirements, prams are not permitted in the March.

Please display the Australian National Flag with consideration and respect.