RSL ACT Branch Anzac Day Veterans' March Guidelines

Registration

Registration to march can be submitted by groups/contingents (e.g. associations), or individuals. Individual participants who are not members of a service unit/association may be advised to march with a relevant contingent following registration, or will be instructed where to join on the morning as per the order of march. Relatives of veterans are welcomed participants, as a contingent marching behind the veterans. Registration submissions are due by Monday 14 April 2025. Late registrations may not be acknowledged in the ceremony proceedings. Participants must follow the directions of the volunteer march marshals on the day.

See the list of contingents registered.

Eligibility

There are four ways to participate in the march:

as a current or former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) member, or deployed civilian*
as the relative of an ADF veteran
as a veteran of a Commonwealth or Allied force
as a contingent of ADF school aged cadets

*For the purposes of the march, any current or former serving ADF member is defined as a veteran

Information

The RSL ACT Branch Anzac Day Veterans’ March is not a parade and therefore no vehicle, animal, weaponry or memorabilia (including historical uniforms) may be included without prior approval by RSL ACT. Political slogans are not to be displayed by march participants
Escorts to Colours and service contingents may only carry arms when authorised by RSL ACT
Due to the number of participants and their safety, prams and strollers are not permitted in the march
RSL ACT does not keep, or arrange to have made, any military banners or flags for veterans to march behind
A carer may accompany a veteran who is participating in the march (up to two per veteran marching). Carers must be over the age of 18 and physically capable of assisting the veteran who is marching should they require support
For awareness, some contingents may be required to march over approximately one kilometre. There will not be seating available as contingents form up on Anzac Parade, however they will be directed to allocated seating after they have marched across the Parade Ground. Participants with accessibility requirements have the option to muster at a holding point closer to the Parade Ground, and join their contingent before they march on to be reviewed. Participants can outline their accessibility needs when completing the online registration form
Veterans of a Commonwealth or Allied force should be clearly identifiable by their campaign medals and should be at the head of each national group
All ADF, Commonwealth or Allied force relatives are to march behind veterans in the family groups contingent. One family member may represent a single veteran and march as part of the family contingent. To ensure the safety of all participants, it is recommended that any young people marching as part of the family contingent should be high-school aged and capable of keeping pace with the march
The march is conducted outdoors, dress to weather conditions. Business/smart attire or appropriate service dress is suggested
Medals should be worn on the left breast only by the person who has been awarded those medals. Relatives should wear medals that are not their own on their right breast. Medal groups should not be broken up and worn by several family members. Some veterans may wear medals on both sides: their own and those of a relative. For further information regarding medal protocol, please visit the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website
Out of respect for the occasion, we ask that participants do not film or photograph proceedings while marching. Family or friends are welcome to capture your participation as spectators