Residents and visitors are invited to come together this ANZAC Day to honour the courage, sacrifice and resilience of Australia’s servicemen and women, with a series of commemorative events taking place across the region.
In Cooktown, commemorations will begin on Friday 24 April with a visit from 35 Squadron, who will spend the afternoon engaging with students at Cooktown State School and Endeavour Christian College.
ANZAC Day services will take place on Saturday 25 April, starting with the Dawn Service at 6:00am on the waterfront near the Power Magazine. A gunfire breakfast will follow at the Cooktown Memorial Club.
The ANZAC Day march will form up at 10:15am in front of the Memorial Club, proceeding along Charlotte Street to ANZAC Park, where the main service will commence at 11:00am. Following the service, the community is invited to gather for lunch, with games scheduled to begin around 2:00pm at the Memorial Club.
Commemorations will continue into Sunday, with a community cricket match between 35 Squadron and local players to be held at Queens Oval in the Botanic Gardens, with times to be confirmed.
In Bloomfield, the Bloomfield River District Residents Association will host a full day of commemorations on Saturday 25 April 2026, beginning with a Dawn Service. Community members will gather at 5:00am at The Tin Shed before moving to the Cenotaph at the Ayton Community Hub for the 5:30am service, providing an opportunity for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Later in the day, the community will reconvene for the ANZAC Day march and commemorative service. Participants will gather at 11:00am near the Ayton IGA, before marching to the Cenotaph at 11:30am. The service, including speeches and the raising of flags, will follow shortly after. A community gathering will then be held at The Tin Shed, with a BBQ, drinks and music, encouraging locals to come together in a spirit of reflection and connection. Attendees are encouraged to bring a plate to share.
In Coen, a flag-raising ceremony will be held at 6:00am at the Heritage House, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and a community BBQ.
Community members across the shire are encouraged to attend their local services and take part in this important day of remembrance.