Because of the constraint on numbers, the service will be restricted to veterans, family and invited guests only.

"Due to the limitation on numbers, and out of respect to allow veterans and their families to attend, we are respectfully asking that members of the general public do not attend this service," the RSL said in a statement.

The RSL instead wants members of the public to pay their respects by holding a minute's silence and standing in their own driveways at 6am with a lighted candle. The bells of both the Catholic and Anglican churches in the city will sound before and after the driveway "stand to".

The dawn service has been shifted to 6.30am and will be livestreamed on the RSL's Facebook page.

The three roads leading to the memorial will be blocked off and COVID marshalls will be stationed at each so those attending can register using QR codes or signing in.

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Veterans participating in the march will form outside the council offices at 6.15am for a 6.25am step-off.

A limited number of community organisations have been invited to lay wreaths during the dawn service while others who usually lay a wreath at the later commemoration service, which this year has been cancelled, have been invited to do so anytime after 9am.

The traditional gunfire breakfast which follows the dawn service will be restricted to veterans and their families, and the RSL will open to the public after 10am.

As a tribute to Aboriginal Australian servicemen, the RSL sub-committee has been working on a special video production documenting the significant contributions of a number of local people.

The video will be made available on the Warrnambool RSL's Facebook page following the dawn service live stream.

It is hoped the video will be used as an educational resource for future generations.

Warrnambool RSL vice-president Michael Bellamy said when they sat down to plan activities for this year's service it was clear there were many factors they had to consider that they hadn't needed to in the past.

"Those veterans and their families wanting to attend the dawn service will not need to pre-register, but will need to sign in on arrival or do the QR codes," Mr Bellamy said.

"With the limitation on numbers all I can do is appeal to the Warrnambool community to show their respect and provide our veterans and their family the opportunity to attend."

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