General News
21 April, 2026
Community to honour fallen
Warracknabeal will be the focal point of local Anzac Day commemorations, with the town’s main ceremony set to take place at 11am at Anzac Park, where community members will gather to honour those who served and those who never returned.
Dianne Marchment would be the guest speaker, and Warracknabeal District Band member Josh Nuske will play the Last Post at the ceremony, which is being coordinated by the Warracknabeal RSL sub-branch.
Warracknabeal RSL sub-branch president Graeme Massey said the local sub-branch had organised a series of commemorative services across the district on Anzac Day.
“We’re doing dawn service at Sheep Hills,” he said.
“Then Anzac Day services at Brim and Warracknabeal.”
Speaking about the service locations, Mr Massey said each community would host its ceremony at a familiar local venue.
“In the Mechanics Institute Hall at Sheep Hills, Brim Hall at Brim and the Anzac Park at Warracknbeal,” he said.
Mr Massey said the Sheep Hills service would continue to be known locally as a dawn service.
“I think everyone refers to it as a dawn service,” he said.
He said guest speaker Dianne Marchment would address attendees at all three services run under the Warracknabeal RSL umbrella.
“Yeah, she will be the guest speaker in all three,” he said.
Mr Massey said Anzac Day remained a time for the community to reflect on the sacrifice of service personnel across all conflicts.
“It really is to commemorate the service of all, all people who took action and protected their country during all conflicts, and especially those who never returned,” he said.
Encouraging locals to attend, Mr Massey said the ceremonies were open to everyone.
“Everyone’s welcome to come and attend,” he said.
He also said Anzac badges would be sold ahead of the commemorations and again on the day itself.
“We’re selling Anzac badges outside IGA on Wednesday, April 22, and if you can’t get them on Wednesday, you’ll be able to buy them on Saturday, on Anzac Day itself,” he said.
In other district services, Minyip will hold its Anzac Day service at 9.30am at Minyip Memorial Hall, Rupanyup's Anzac March and Service will begin at 9.30am at Jack Emmett Billabong, Murtoa’s service will begin at 6.30am, and Hopetoun will host a dawn service at 6am at Hopetoun RSL Hall.