Ellenbrook will miss out on an ANZAC Day Dawn Service for the third year in a row – with the local RSL blaming insurmountable COVID-19 restrictions.

It comes after organisers of Dawn Services across WA were directed to cap their attendance to 500 people if level 2 restrictions remain, meaning the traditional Kings Park ceremony is likely to be invite-only.

Ellenbrook RSL Sub-Branch President Stephen O’Neil told Perth LIVE, it was a tough decision – but he understands the directive.

“The whole sub-branch is disappointed, and I think the whole of the state is disappointed by it,” he told Oliver Peterson.

“But they must realise there’s a good reason for it.”

The suburban RSL says it would have been impossible to try and limit numbers at its event, without adequate staff and resources.

“We’ve been given some guidance as to, it’s not safe to conduct a Dawn Service, unless you can limit your numbers to 500,” he said.

“And there’s absolutely no way that we could police that, to prevent more than 500 people being there.

“How do we select who comes, and who doesn’t?”

Press PLAY to hear more of Stephen O’Neil’s interview with Oliver Peterson