Thousands to be allowed to attend Remembrance Day service in Melbourne

Thousands of fully vaccinated Melburnians will be able to attend the Remembrance Day service at Victoria's national war memorial next month.

The announcement comes after no one was allowed to gather at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance for a service last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up to 3,800 fully vaccinated people will be able to attend a service at the shrine on 11 November, which is said to be in line with the amount of people who attended the service before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The service will also be livestreamed on the Shrine's website, Facebook and YouTube channels so others will be able to commemorate the occasion remotely.

Bookings will not be not required to attend the service, but all attendees will need to check in on arrival using the Service Victoria smartphone app.

The service is set to feature the traditional elements, including the iconic Ray of Light illuminating the Stone of Remembrance, the Ode to be read by contemporary veterans of the Australian Navy, Army, Air Force and the Australian Federal Police, wreath-layings by Victoria's Governor, Her Excellency Linda Dessau AC, multi-national representatives and other dignitaries and a RAAF flyover.

It will also include a Bunarong Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for the first time to mark the return of public commemorative services at the Shrine.

In the lead up to Remembrance Day, families and children at home are being encouraged to create symbolic messenger birds to thank the Defence Force and all those who work to keep Australians safe.

From 1 to 10 November, the Shrine will be lit 'Red to Remember' to encourage Victorians to reflect on military service in the 21st century this Remembrance Day.

For more information about all Remembrance Day activities visit shrine.org.au