Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan shares what Anzac Day means to him

The 3rd Brigades’ commander has spent past Anzac Day around the world including the Battlefields of France, but as he sat before the community on home soil he said there’s no where he’d rather be.

Anzac Day 2025. Dawn Service Anzac Park Townsville. Musician Dani Rich. Picture: Evan Morgan

Brigadier Ben McLennan spent his youth watching the Anzac parades along the city streets and now as he sits as one of the highest ranking army officers in Townsville, it’s taken on a deeper meaning.

Taking command of the 3rd Brigade late last year off former Brigadier Dave McCammon, Brigadier McLennan has labelled his current posting as a career highlight.

As the sun rose over The Strand on Anzac Day 2025, he sat before a large crowd and felt honoured and proud of the veterans, current serving members and wider North Queensland community before him.

Anzac Day 2025. Dawn service Anzac Park Townsville. Brigadier Ben McLennan gives key note address. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I’ve had the privilege in my career of commemorating Anzac Day all over the world, including the battlefields of France but I’ve got to say that the privilege today in my hometown and in the town where the brigade is, to be part of this service is probably the best Anzac Day ever,” he said.

While it is a time for celebrations and commemorations, Brigadier McLennan said for him personally it can be a challenging day to think about.

“It really challenges me to think about what it is to be an Australian, what it is to be an Anzac, a current day Anzac and to take what the Anzac spirit is,” he said.

“It’s a challenging thing to take that forward, to be selfless, to be willing to serve your country in whatever capacity, whether you’re in and out of uniform, being willing to serve your neighbour, being willing to do the right thing, to be the best version of yourself.

Gallery: Townsville honours the Anzacs at Dawn Service

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“All of these things is what the Anzac spirit is about and so Anzac Day for me is a timely reminder of what it is to be that type of person.”

Brigadier McLennan said he would enjoy the day surrounded by friends, family and fellow defence force members before enjoying a game of two-up at the RSL and the rugby league this afternoon on TV.

Originally published as Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan shares what Anzac Day means to him