Anzacs honoured in Canberra ceremony

A scaled-down version of the National Ceremony to honour the nation’s fallen soldiers has been held at the Australian War Memorial.

A scaled-down version of the National Ceremony to honour the nation’s fallen soldiers has been held at the Australian War Memorial.

The ceremony followed the traditional order of service with the Commemorative Address, wreath laying, hymns, the sounding of the Last Post, observance of one minute’s silence, and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Australian War Memorial for the National Service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

However this year, a banner parade organised by the ACT branch of the RSL replaced the veteran’s march due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s impending withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan marked the closure of “another chapter” in the Anzac legacy.

Delivering a solemn Anzac Day address at a Dawn Service held at the Australian War Memorial, the Prime Minister gave thanks to all whose selflessness had helped make their country “what it is today”.

Scott Morrison with his wife Jenny at the National Service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

As the nation woke to watch and attend services across Australia, Mr Morrison made special mention of those men and women who served throughout the nation’s “longest war” in the Middle East, the last of whom will soon be coming home.

He said they were “the bravest of this generation”.

“This Anzac Day another chapter in our history is coming to a close, with the announcement last week of our departure and that of our great friend and ally, the United States, from Afghanistan,” he said.

The banner parade took the place of the traditional veterans march. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra during the National Service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

CDF General Angus Campbell with Kerry Stokes at the National Service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Australia has been a steadfast contributor to the fight against terrorism. It’s been our longest war.

“The world is safer from the threat of terrorism than when the twin towers were felled almost 20 years ago. But we remain vigilant.

“However, this has come at great cost. Forty-one Australian lives lost in Afghanistan, whom we especially remember and honour this morning.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Australian War Memorial dawn service in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“More than 39,000 Australians have served on operations in support of Australia’s mission in Afghanistan, many carrying the wounds and scars of war, seen and unseen.

“They are the bravest of this generation.”

The Prime Minister remembered Sergeant Andrew Russell – the first Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2002 – who died when his patrol vehicle struck an anti-vehicle mine.

Sergeant Russell was just 33 and left behind his wife Kylie and his 11-day-old daughter Leisa, who is now studying at university.

“Kylie says she is, in so many ways, just like her Dad – she lives with a strong sense of duty,” Mr Morrison said.

He also honoured the memory of Sergeant Brett Till, tragically killed while trying to disarm an improvised explosive device in 2009.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Kerry Stokes after the dawn service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Sergeant Till, already a father of two, was at the time expecting his first child with wife Bree.

“Their child Ziggy will be in high school next year, and I know Brett would be so proud of all his three children and the amazing job Bree has done to raise them,” Mr Morrison said.He said the support of families had sustained our soldiers, sailors, aviators, nurses, padres and peacekeepers, and had also had to “shoulder the burdens that follow service too”.

Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Also receiving special praise this Anzac Day was veteran Sergeant Ricky Morris, a member of an Aboriginal family with more than 20 members who’ve seen active service over the decades.

“Ricky says “every medal tells a story” – whether it’s worn over the heart of a veteran or carried by one of their loved ones,” Mr Morrison said. “And that matters so much, especially today.”

In his speech, the Prime Minister said although the Anzac story began on the beach at Gallipoli 106 years ago, it was born in the houses, farms, towns and suburbs across the country.

“It’s in those places that selflessness, duty, respect and responsibility were learned,” he said.

“Where love of family, the community and country is warmed and is kindled in the youngest hearts and the oldest minds.

“It is also where the pain of loss is felt most acutely.”

DAWN SERVICES HELD ACROSS NATION

Dawn Services have taken place across the nation as hundreds of thousands of Australians prepare to march on Sunday morning to commemorate Anzac Day in 2021.

After coronavirus restrictions effectively resulted in most Australians paying their respects at home or in their driveways last year, the nation has responded strongly with crowds allowed back in 2021.

Many services and marches across the country exhausted their ticketed allocation within days of going online, while Queensland events are set to proceed without crowd limits.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was at the dawn service in Canberra that began at 5.30am and will attend the national ceremony and veterans’ banner parade at the Australian War Memorial from 10.30am.

The Prime Minister had planned to travel to Tasmania after the dawn service but travel restrictions enforced due to Western Australia’s COVID-19 lockdown forced a change in itinerary.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended Anzac Day commemorations in Canberra on Sunday. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Morrison had visited Western Australia last week, which would have complicated any travel plans.

The Prime Minister said earlier in the week the resumption of public Anzac Day commemorations was a sign Australia was back on track after a pandemic plagued 2020.

The NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Martin Place cenotaph began at 4.30am, while up to 10,000 people have been allowed to attend the Anzac Day march organised by the RSL NSW in Sydney’s CBD from 9am.

Dawn Services are being held across the country for Anzac Day. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

The Melbourne Dawn Service kicks off at 6am while the CBD march to the Shrine of Remembrance involving a maximum of 5500 veteran participants starts at 9.30am.

Brisbane’s Dawn Service started at 4.28am at the Shrine of Remembrance with a parade through the CBD held between 10am and midday.

Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin will also hold Dawn Services and marches throughout the morning, with varying limits on numbers allowed to attend.

Perth’s Anzac Day commemorations were thrown into disarray after Premier Mark McGowan announced a snap three-day lockdown beginning on Saturday morning.

Australian commemorated Anzac Day in their driveways last year due to the pandemic. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Public Anzac Day events and Dawn Services have been cancelled, with Mr McGowan encouraging everyone to take part in a driveway Dawn Service again this year.

April 25 marks the 106th anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landing, which was the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.