Anzac Day 2025 in Alice Springs: Full updates of Dawn Service
A cold morning hasn’t stopped dozens from rising early and paying their respects on Anzac Day in the Red Centre. See the pictures.
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A cold morning hasn’t stopped Alice Springs from coming down in droves to the Anzac Day Dawn Service, where veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice were remembered.
Held at the Garden Cemetery, cars lined the Stuart Hwy with people getting in early to get a hot drink and food as part of the gunfire breakfast, which began at 5.30am.
The Dawn Service began at 6am, with Norforce Centre Squadron Warrant Officer Class Two Scott Allen also the master of ceremonies.
He gave a history of The Dawn Service, and honoured all veterans who served in theatres and peacekeeping missions in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.
Remembering the first Anzacs, he said Aussies were still struck by their “extraordinary courage, cheerfulness, loyalty, and good humour as they contended with constant shelling, rifle shots, shortages of rations and water, disease and death”.
“This is why we remember them, the first Anzacs and all of those who have followed. They left us that legacy and we in turn commemorate their sacrifice.”
The commemorative address was delivered by Regional Force Surveillance Group Commander Colonel Steven Dickie, who said more than 103,000 Australians had died in combat.
An honour roll of more than 70 Centralians who made the ultimate sacrifice was also read out, with a two minute silence to remember all who lost their lives.
“We honour and reflect that we are all recipients of this sacrifice and have inherited their legacy,” Colonel Dickie said.
“It seems to me that simple yet meaningful gathering such as ours this morning are growing ever in importance.
“Today is not about crowd numbers, a memorable selfie or a game of footy, but about Australians coming together to pause and reflect on true sacrifice, true heroism and what, at least in part, it means to be in Australia.”
Wreaths were laid by Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson, NT politicians Bill Yan and Josh Burgoyne, and Colonel Dickie.
The crowd honoured the minute silence, and once the ceremony ended and the sun come up, many embraced and broke out into conversation.
About 1500 people turned up to the Dawn Service.
Overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasted a low of 10 degrees in Alice Springs, with plenty in the crowd wearing jumpers and beanies.
At 9.30am, a parade will march through Alice Springs, with another memorial to be held on Anzac Hill afterwards.
More to come.
DAWN SERVICE GALLERY
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Originally published as Anzac Day 2025 in Alice Springs: Full updates of Dawn Service
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