I don’t see the issue with a party after midday. Yes, ANZAC day is a special day for remembering troops - in the morning. The afternoon is for celebration.
Two-up games, beers at the RSL, annual AFL Match with Essendon and Collingwood. Go ahead and have a dance party as well. What’s the issue?
Yes, I’d have serious problems with it if they were holding it in the morning. But the party was scheduled for 6pm. Go nuts boys and girls, have your party.
Honestly, did anyone outside politicians actually have an issue with this?
Absolutely. I’ll try and find the post, (update: found it) but IIRC the OP quietly vented their annoyance to their wife that, as a newer vet, they felt ignored by that town’s service only mentioning the Boer War, WWI and WWII. Some grouch overheard them and tried to argue "this isn’t about you!’ then made posts on FB trying to shame them and get them banned. And look, I am critical about most wars Aussies have been in from 1900 to the present, but you’re absolutely right that it’s a stupid take, and I’ll add that it’s horrible and ridiculous too. Vietnam is especially complex because (among other things) there was still conscription ongoing, so it’s unfortunate to see how many people broadly directed their frustrations at the soldiers (mostly fellow worker-class victims of the situation) rather than the people responsible for commanding our citizens.