Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club and The Surf Club Mooloolaba invite the community to its ANZAC Day Dawn Service at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th, 2026,at Mooloolaba Beach. This deeply moving tribute will honour the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand service men and women, past and present.
As the first light of dawn breaks over the ocean, boat crews will silently paddle out to sea, laying wreaths of native Australian flowers, before raising their oars to the haunting echoes of the Last Post. In a powerful tribute to the ANZACs, a lone horseman from the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, Woombye Troop, will gallop along Mooloolaba Beach.
The ceremony will feature currently serving and retired Defence Force veterans leading the service, the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Bel Canto Choir, and a didgeridoo solo by Mr. Peter Tilney. Honouring New Zealand’s servicemen and women, the ceremony will also include a Māori Haka and the New Zealand national anthem, sung by Mr. Graham Stewart. MSLSC Nippers, including those from military families, will lay 12 wreaths representing Australia and New Zealand’s past campaigns, wars, peacekeeping missions, and nurses.
This year marks the 17th anniversary of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Mooloolaba Beach — a deeply significant occasion where locals and visitors gather in remembrance, reflection and gratitude for the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation.
Due to ongoing foreshore redevelopment works, the 2026 Dawn Service will be relocated slightly south of Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club. The adjustment ensures the continued safety and comfort of attendees while maintaining the integrity and spirit of the service. Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club President, Trent Robinson, said the relocation will not diminish the experience.
“While the foreshore development is still underway, we have carefully planned the new location to the south of the main lifeguard tower to ensure the Dawn Service remains as moving and meaningful as ever. The essence of the service — community, respect and remembrance — will remain unchanged.”
MSLSC warmly welcomes the community to join in this moment of reflection and gratitude, paying homage to the ANZAC spirit and those who have served. If you can’t attend the service at Mooloolaba Beach, 91.1 Hot FM radio will broadcast the ceremony live across the Sunshine Coast from 5 am. Veterans who wish to march, we invite them to assemble in the southern club car park on Club Lane, ready to step off at 04:55 am.
About Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club has 1716 Members, with lifesavers completing 14,000 volunteer patrol hours and performing on average over 1,800 preventative actions and rescues per season. The Surf Club Mooloolaba Supporters Club, welcomes 260,000 annual visitors and 50,000 plus members. Mooloolaba Nippers is one of the most extensive programs on the Sunshine Coast, with over 500 children and Starfish Nippers for children with disabilities. Mooloolaba attracts 2,750,000 visitors to Mooloolaba Beach annually.
Event Details
- Event: ANZAC Day Dawn Service
- Date: Saturday, 25th April 2026
- Time: 5:00 am (Attendees are advised to arrive by 4:55 am)
- Location: Mooloolaba Beach south of the lifeguard tower
- Live Broadcast: Hot91.1FM
ANZAC Day Dawn Service is brought to you by Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club and The Surf Club Mooloolaba Supporters Club. For more information visitwww.mooloolabaslsc.com.au . The ANZAC Day Dawn Service is proudly supported by the Sunshine Coast Councils Community Grants Program.
