In pictures: Millions of Australians flock to Dawn Services across the country to commemorate Anzac Day
Stirring images have emerged as Aussies braved freezing temperatures to pay their respects to nation’s service men and women.
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Millions of Australians have risen before the sun to pay respects to the servicemen and women who have served the nation this Anzac Day.
Dawn Services are taking place in every state and territory to commence Anzac Day celebrations from just after 4am on Thursday.
Marches across the country
Marches are taking place in every capital city on Thursday morning, with current and former servicemen and women walking through streets lined with people.
Many are wearing medals pinned to their uniforms earned for their service to their country.
Loved ones walk in the place of those who cannot be there - countless fallen soldiers who passed either on the battlefield or decades later on home soil.
In Brisbane, a little boy was photographed poking his head through the barricade to get a closer look at the stream of people marching by.
Another little boy around the same age is being carried by an older man in uniform.
Meanwhile, a service vehicle filled with servicemen from a more senior generation are escorting a pack of men who walk behind them.
Flags are draped over the barricades in Melbourne, where audience members hold signs saying “thank you”.
Impressive crowds at Sydney service
Thousands of people braced a chilly dawn start at the cenotaph in Martin Place for NSW’s official Dawn Service.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley joined hundreds of veterans and guests carrying brightly coloured wreaths.
The Sydney male choir’ sang ‘There is no Death’, a song first sung by the choir for the first time at the 1935 Anzac Day Dawn Service.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was impressed by the sheer size of the crowd in attendance.
“I think the best thing about the ceremony this morning is to see the number of people that come early in the morning,” Mr Minns said.
“You have to get here at about 3am and it’s great to see so many families and kids as well.
“Times like today the community can come together and remember those who gave their lives for our country and it’s so nice to see it remain a solemn occasion.”
Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz told the crowd: “Anzac Day originated in 1916 to honour our original Anzacs, the Australians and New Zealanders who fought at Gallipoli, but with conflicts since then, the meaning has evolved.”.
“Today, Anzac Day honours all sailors, soldiers and aviators who have served in the Australian Defence Force. While World War One veterans are no longer with us, and there are few remaining from World War Two and Korea among us, today standing in this crowd are veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans of numerous peace keeping missions.
“They too are evidence…Australians who found within themselves the selflessness and courage to serve our country, to serve you and protect our way of life, to these remarkable individuals, we say thank you.”
Corporal Stuart Fong then joined the Australian Army Band Sydney for the New Zealand national anthem, which was sung in Maori and English, followed by the Australian anthem.
RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge and Junior Legatee Amelia Hearn, read The Ode to The Fallen. All the lights in Martin Place were dimmed, with one spotlight shining bright on the Cenotaph.
Onlookers bowed their heads as the last post was then played. Others saluted for a minute of silence before Australian flags were raised from half-mast, as the audience below sung “lest we forget.
The crowd then rose in the darkness while the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and her husband Dennis Wilson departed the centaph precint
Moving scenes in the nation’s capital
A crowd of 32,000 people gathered in Canberra for the Anzac Day Dawn Service in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.
A blast of cold air plunged morning temperatures to below zero degree, marking the coldest Anzac day in three years.
Leaders and service men and women stood shoulder-to-shoulder to pay tribute to the sacrifices of veterans.
Chaplain Phil Riley of the Australian Army delivered this year’s Anzac dedication.
“At this hour, on this day, 109 years ago, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, at Gallipoli, made immortal the name of Anzac and established an imperishable tradition of selfless service, of devotion to duty, and of fighting for all that is best in human relationships,” he said.
Incoming defence force chief Vice-Admiral David Johnston asked that everyone who mourned “remember those whose service left them wounded in body, mind, or spirit”.
He paid his respects to the Australians who have served since World War I, including in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.
“Their service protects the nation we are building for tomorrow. Whether people are serving at home or deployed or completed the service, they are all veterans to whom we owe so much,” he said.
“We give thanks for their willingness to defend and protect Australia, acknowledging that for some their service came at an enduring mental and physical cost.”
Melbourne service pays special tribute to peacekeepers
A large crowd of Victorians gathered at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance to pay their respects to the nation’s servicemen and women.
Presenter Justin Smith delivered opening the remarks, speaking of senior World War I officer Harold “Pompey” Elliott.
“He could be heard yelling and swearing at a soldier one day and then found sobbing over news of the man’s death the next. So he knew about war,” Mr Smith said.
“But he knew about something else, not just what a war was, but he knew how war should be remembered. And today … years after Pompey Elliot landed into the horror of Gallipoli, we’re here again, waiting for dawn.”
Victorian Governor Jacinta Allangave a solemn speech to honour all those affected by war and conflict.
“This is why it is right that this year’s commemorations are shining a light on peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace builders. After all, the best way to honour the sacrifices of those who have served our nation in wartime is to make every effort to promote peace,” she said.
“This year, for the first time, veterans of peacekeeping operations are leading Melbourne’s Anzac Day commemorative March.
“The Australians who lost their lives in those peacekeeping missions, Australians from our police and defence forces, are listed together with another 103,004 men and women on the Australian War Memorial‘s roll of honour.”
Governor recalls ‘immense loss’ in Brisbane
An estimated 15,000 people packed out Anzac Square in Brisbane to attend Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
It was one of 450 ceremonies taking place around Queensland.
State Governor Jeannette Young told the crowd of “immense loss of life and heartache on a beach in Gallipoli’’ in 1915.
At dawn on the Kokoda Track
Anthony Albanese attended a Dawn Service in Papua New Guinea after spending two days traversing the Kokoda Track.
Mr Albanese joined Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape to reflect on the “perseverance” of Australian troops at the historic Isurava Memorial site.
“We gather each Anzac Day because how brightly the eternal flame of memory burns depends on how carefully we tend it,” Mr Albanese said.
“We come in gratitude. We come in sorrow. A pilgrimage of memory as we keep the long vigil of a grateful nation.
“We hold to the solemn promise our countries made to the fallen all those years ago: We will remember them.”
We gather before the dawn for the generations of Australians since Gallipoli who have served in our name.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 24, 2024
Every Anzac Day we honour all who have served, and all who continue to serve today.
It is our collective act of remembrance, reflection and gratitude.
Lest we forget. pic.twitter.com/s1oAubXEWg
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who attended the Anzac Dawn Service Ceremony in Queensland’s Bray Park, shared a message to honour the history of the Anzac spirit, which he said had characterised Australians “whenever and wherever they have served and sacrificed”.
“On Anzac Day, we acknowledge the deeds of all Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations throughout our history,” he said.
“On this sacred day, we honour the memories of the more than 103,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“A people who choose courage over cowardice, camaraderie over tribalism, endeavour over indolence, gratitude over resentment, and national pride over national aversion.
“The Anzac spirit helped us to prevail in war and prosper in peace.”
On Anzac Day, we acknowledge the deeds of all Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations throughout our history.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) April 24, 2024
We honour the memories of the more than 103,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Anzac spirit has helped us to… pic.twitter.com/QSdICMBtCe
Defence Minister Richard Marles attended local ceremonies in Gallipoli, Turkey to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the landings on April 25, 1915.
He paid tribute to some 75,000 Australians and New Zealanders who fought on the Gallipoli peninsula and honoured the memory of the more than 8,700 Australians who lost their lives in battle.
“When we think about the Gallipoli campaign, we think of mateship and sacrifice, and we admire the extraordinary actions of the Anzac soldiers,” Mr Marles said.
“We acknowledge the 1500 Australian defence personnel who are currently deployed on operations and honour the memory of the more than 103,000 Australians who gave their life in service of our country.”
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said Anzac Day was a sacred event for “all Australians.”
“Australia enjoys freedom and prosperity today because those men and women were prepared to fight when the call came,” he said.
“We will remember them.”
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken paid homage to the “valour” and “sacrifice” of ANZAC forces who epitomised courage during the Gallipoli Campaign.
He said the unwavering dedication to defending freedom and democracy served as a testament to the ideals the US and Australia held close.
“In recognising the sacrifices of the past and the steadfast commitment of our service members, we reaffirm the unbreakable bonds of friendship and partnership between our nations,” he said.
“From the trenches of World War I to the present-day challenges, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand have stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of shared values and principles.”
Originally published as In pictures: Millions of Australians flock to Dawn Services across the country to commemorate Anzac Day
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