Honouring Service and Sacrifice this ANZAC Day
This ANZAC Day, Waverley residents and visitors are invited to come together to reflect, remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women.
ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.
On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.
More than 8000 Australian soldiers were killed in battle, including hundreds from the Waverley local government area.
Local services provide a meaningful opportunity for the community to pause, pay their respects and continue the tradition of remembrance.
Local services
ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Waverley Cemetery
25 April / Waverley Cemetery (Stone of Remembrance) / 5 – 6 am
Join the community at this moving dawn service hosted by the Bronte RSL Sub-Branch. Set against the historic surrounds of Waverley Cemetery, the service offers a quiet and powerful moment of reflection as the sun rises — honouring those who have served and those who continue to serve.
North Bondi ANZAC Day Service
25 April / 118–120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi / 6 – 7 am
Hosted by the North Bondi RSL Sub-Branch, this traditional commemorative service brings the community together through ceremony, reflection and remembrance. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
Waverley ANZAC Day Service 2026
25 April / Waverley Memorial Gardens, Waverley Park / 7.45 am
We invite the community to join us on Saturday 25 April at 7.45am at Waverley Memorial Gardens, Waverley Park for our ANZAC Day service. The service is arranged by Waverley Council and Bondi Junction/Waverley RSL Sub-Branch. All are invited to attend and place a wreath on our cenotaph.
Bronte SLSC ANZAC Day Service
25 April / Bronte Beach / 10 am
Bronte SLSC, in partnership with Bronte RSL Sub-Branch, will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at Bronte Beach. This is a community event, and everyone is welcome to attend. The service will last approximately one hour.
Local stories of service
ANZAC Day is also a time to reflect on the individuals connected to our local area whose service and sacrifice form part of our shared history.
Please be advised that the following stories contain the names and images of deceased people.
Lance Corporal John Auguste Emile Harris
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Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant John Auguste Emile Harris when Harris was a Senior Cadet in the 28th Battalion, NSW. Image: Australian War Memorial.
John Auguste Emile Harris, known as Jack, grew up in Waverley on Denison Street and is remembered as the youngest soldier from New South Wales to be killed in action during the First World War.
Born on 6 October 1899, Jack was the eldest of four children. He attended Cleveland Street High School before working as a clerk. In June 1915, at just 15 years old, he enlisted in the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, claiming to be 18. With his father’s consent — required for those under 21 — he was accepted into service.
After less than two weeks of training, Jack was promoted to Lance Corporal and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915. He arrived in Egypt in July before being sent almost immediately to Gallipoli.
In the early hours of 6 August 1915, Jack landed at Gallipoli and joined his unit just in time to take part in the Battle of Lone Pine later that day. As part of the third wave, he went “over the top” into intense fighting that would continue for four days.
Jack was last seen mortally wounded outside a Turkish trench that same day. He was just 15 years and 10 months old.
He is buried at Lone Pine Cemetery, and his name is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial and the Waverley Soldiers’ Memorial in Waverley Park — a lasting reminder of the profound sacrifice made by one of the area’s youngest servicemen.
Private Victor Simon
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Image: Australian War Memorial
Victor Simon (1945–2020) was a proud Worimi man who grew up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and served in the Vietnam War.
Victor came from a strong family tradition of military service. His father, Toki Simon, served during the Second World War as one of the ‘Rats of Tobruk’, while his uncle Robert served in the Second Australian Imperial Force and endured three years as a prisoner of war in Changi.
Victor enlisted in 1965 and was deployed to Vietnam the following year. At just 21, he was part of D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, during the Battle of Long Tan on 19 August 1966.
In one of the most significant engagements of the Vietnam War for Australian forces, Victor and 107 other soldiers held off an enemy force of more than 2,000 for three hours in torrential rain and difficult conditions.
Victor survived the battle but was later wounded by a mine explosion that perforated his eardrums. He returned to Australia to recover and continued his service at South Head Barracks.
After his military service, Victor remained deeply connected to the local community and veteran networks, including the Matraville RSL Club. He later married Beverley Williams, a Dharawal woman, and continued to honour his cultural and community ties throughout his life.
Victor’s story reflects not only his own service, but also the significant contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women, with around 500 Aboriginal people estimated to have served in the Vietnam War.
Beatrice “Maud” Beetham
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Beatrice Maud Beetham (1892–1985) was one of many Australian women who served overseas during the First World War, caring for wounded soldiers.
Born in Bondi and trained as a nurse, Maud enlisted in 1916 at the age of 24 while living on Birrell Street. She served abroad, providing vital care and support to injured servicemen.
After returning to Australia in 1918, she married Lieutenant Colonel Ross Jacob, whom she met during her journey home. Her life reflected both resilience and adventure — famously travelling across the Nullarbor with her family by camel caravan.
Maud’s story highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in wartime, whose compassion and dedication played a critical role both during and after conflict.
Bondi at War
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During the Second World War, Bondi Beach was considered a likely invasion point following the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The beach was fortified with barbed wire and defensive barriers, dramatically changing daily life. Surf lifesaving activities continued, but training was moved off the sand, and public access to the beach was restricted.
Precautions extended across the area — windows facing the sea had to be blacked out, and street signs were removed to make navigation difficult for potential enemy forces. Despite these challenges, the community continued to support enlisted servicemen, hosting gatherings and events at Bondi Pavilion.
In 1942, Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour, resulting in the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul and the loss of 21 lives — bringing the reality of war close to home.
A time to reflect
ANZAC Day remains one of Australia’s most significant national days of remembrance. It is an opportunity to honour those who have served, reflect on the cost of conflict and recognise the enduring importance of community.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend a local service and take part in this important tradition.
Lest we forget.