About Us

Commemoration

The public are welcome to attend any of our commemorative services.

Each year the Walkway hosts commemorative services for Anzac Day, Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day and Kokoda Day, and other informal wreath-laying services.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES

For nearly 30 years, the Walkway has proudly hosted regular commemorative services. The three formal services are for Anzac (usually prior to Anzac Day), Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day (15 August) and Kokoda Day (3 November).

The public are welcome to attend all services.

The Walkway also hosts less formal wreath-laying events to commemorate other significant dates such as Remembrance Day.

Also, the Walkway is often visited by individuals or groups with a commemoration or defence background who also take the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Memorial Centrepiece.

The public are welcome to attend any scheduled service at the Walkway.

DATES FOR SERVICES

Commemorative services in 2026

  • ANZAC Service: Saturday 18 April 2026 (10.30am)
  • Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day: Saturday 15 August 2026 (2.30pm)
  • Kokoda Day: Tuesday 3 November 2026 (10.30am)

Please note the dates for scheduled services in 2026.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES: IMAGE GALLERIES

2025 Kokoda Day service

This year’s guest speaker was Capt. The Honourable Dennis Cowdroy AO KC RAN (Ret), who spoke eloquently about the hardships and service of those who experienced and endured the Kokoda campaign in 1942. A crowd of over 300 attended, including WWII veterans Reg Chard and Allan Whicelo.

The service included:

  • ceremonial planting of soil obtained from the Kokoda Plateau in PNG
  • a new Honour Roll webpage was launched, featuring images and details of those Australians killed in the campaign.
  • the display of the original Australian flag raised at Kokoda in 194 and other Kokoda-related memorabilia, courtesy of Soc Kienzle (son of Capt. Bert Kienzle) and wife Robyn, and we them for travelling to attend our service.

Lest we forget.

 

2025 Victory in the Pacific (VP) 80th Anniversary Service

On 15 August, a large crowd attended our 80th Anniversary of VP Day. Attending was Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of New South Wales. We also welcomed three special guests – WWII veterans: Reg Chard, 101 years; Bruce Robinson, 104 years; and Alan Whichello, 100 years.

Federal, State and Local Government representatives, Defence members, NSW Police representatives, NSW RSL Sub-Branches, school and community groups, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps attended on the day.

Click here on the link below to listen to the moving rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’, performed as a special tribute to those who served in WWII.
See here for the moving ‘visual reflection’ that was part of the service.

Lest we forget.

2025 Anzac Service

Our 2025 Anzac Service was conducted on 22 April. Ms Renee Wilson, CEO of the Families of Veterans Guild, was guest speaker who spoke eloquently and passionately about resilience and its multi-faceted links to Anzac Day and the legacy of service to the nation. We welcomed many Defence, RSL Sub-Branch, school and community groups, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, including the Japanese Consul-General.

See here for the Anzac ‘visual reflection’ that was shown on the day.

Lest we forget.

2024 Kokoda Day

3 November (designated as ‘Kokoda Day’ in NSW) commemorates the date the Australian flag was raised over Kokoda village, following the withdrawal of Japanese forces from the village as they retreated towards the coast.

This year’s ‘visual reflection’ focussed on the sacrifice and service of the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy angels.

Lest we forget.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE FORMATS

Formal commemorative events

Our three main large services are held outdoors, adjacent to the Memorial Centrepiece, where covered seating is provided. Each service includes an address from a special guest, a ‘visual reflection’ on the large screen and a wreath laying ceremony.

Members of the public, school or community group representatives, serving or former members of the Australian Defence Force, and ex-service organisations are most welcome.

Planning for events begins well ahead of the date, and should you wish to receive an invitation or further details please contact us.

 

Informal wreath laying events

For the less formal wreath-laying events, interested ex-service groups or individuals are welcome to lay a wreath or a poppy at the Memorial Centrepiece at the scheduled time.

 

Other commemorative activities

The Board hosts visiting individuals or groups with a commemoration or defence background who wish to visit the Walkway, often paying their respects and lay a wreath at the Memorial Centrepiece (see the News & Events page for selected images).

The beautiful Memorial Rose Garden, a stunning permanent commemorative display, features over 500 plaques. Our ‘Stories from the Plaques’ series tells the stories of some who have a plaque in the Memorial Rose Garden.

The ‘Beyond the Battlefield’ series highlights military history-related events, as a tribute to those who have served.

Our commemorative events are meticulously planned, and are attended by many community, school and ex-service organisations.

PREVIOUS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES

See our News & Events page for previous commemorative services in 2024 and 2023.

 

SUPPORT THE WALKWAY

The Walkway’s success is dependent on the goodwill and services of many volunteers. You may wish to support the Walkway by becoming a volunteer, joining the Friends of Kokoda or by donating

SUPPORT US
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