Thousands attended Anzac Day dawn service at Bondi Beach

Thousands of people of all ages gathered at North Bondi RSL this morning for the Anzac Day dawn service.

Anzac Day 2024: North Bondi dawn service.

As the sun began to rise, thousands flocked to Bondi Beach for the Anzac Day dawn service.

More than 500 people attended the beachside service at North Bondi RSL.

For most, it was to carry on the tradition of remembering the Australian and New Zealand servicemen who fought for our countries.

Attendee George said “best country in the world”.

When asked why he came to the service, he said “all of the young men and ladies that went out to war, to help protect Australia and the way we live”.

“We should always do something like this (dawn service) … I was born here, but my parents are from another country, we’re in the best country in the world. We should maintain all these traditions,” he said.

Anzac Day 2024: North Bondi dawn service. Picture: NewsLocal

Wearing her grandfathers medals, Mireill, a Bondi local, said she was remembering him after he fought for Australia in Papua New Guinea.

“We’re very proud of him,” she said.

“We miss him dearly, and every year my father would come and do this for him.”

Mireill’s father recently passed away and she said it was the least she could do to carry on the family tradition.

“This dawn service is all we can do to keep them alive in our memories,” she said.

Gadigal and Bidjigal elder Michael Maloney gave a welcome to country before Chaplain Mannion of the Australian Army gave the opening prayer.

A sea of people n the hill at North Bondi.

“Today we remember each man, woman and child … we remember them we ask Lord God, … we prove worth of their sacrifice,” he said.

“The evil that people perpetuate through war … does not undo what God has done.”

Speaker Colonel Jaz, who served for more than 20 years, said “they made the ultimate sacrifice so we can keep”.

”The coolest thing I did was to do with explosives,” she said.

“This is my first Anzac Day as a civilian … feels really to strange … I was 18 when I joined. I sometimes picked army over my friends and family. I travelled the world … unfortunately I lost some mates along the way.

“We remember some of the brothers and sisters we lost … and celebrate those small victories along the way.

Anzac Day 2024. North Bondi service

Many pause for a moment of reflection on the beach.

“And tomorrow; we go back to work and continue our lives.”

She challenged everyone to help support “one another, not just today, but everyday” and to remember those who have served our country by living a fulfilling life.

The community were well and truly together, as students from Cranbrook School paid tribute to the fallen service men and women. The national anthems of New Zealand and Australia were played by local school children.

As the service continued, a Scots College student played the bag pipes in honour of the fallen soldiers as flowers were laid in their memory.

A speaker asked people to turn to Bondi Beach to set the scene of soldiers approaching Anzac Cove.

“Unlike our beautiful beach, Anzac Cove was not calm, mostly young kids, hungry for adventure were sitting uncomfortably crowded, shoulder to shoulder with their mates,” he said.

“They struggled towards the beach, as they approached Anzac Cove spat bullets … some never even touched the soil.

“Shallows of the bay became their grave … this was the start of Gallipoli.”

Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane, Wentworth MP Allegra Spender and Waverley mayor Paula Masselos were in attendance.