More than 4000 set to attend “Lest We Forget” tribute on Anzac Day eve
More than 4000 Sydneysiders are set to descend on the Sydney Opera House forecourt this Thursday evening to pay tribute to the country’s fallen heroes on Anzac Day eve.
NSW
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Sydney’s first sunset service on Anzac Day eve has been embraced by the Harbour City with a capacity audience of more than 4000 set to pack the Opera House forecourt for the “Lest We Forget” commemoration.
Less than 1000 tickets remain for the event this Thursday evening that Australian Remembrance Foundation patron General Sir Peter Cosgrove has described as “almost irresistible … (so) in that late afternoon people can consider what the following day means”.
A tribute concert including 1960s chart-topping teenager Little Pattie and Australia’s first “King of Pop” Normie Rowe – a Vietnam veteran who rose to the rank of Corporal – will provide the musical backdrop as part of a 90-minute service leading to The Last Post and the Ode of Remembrance.
“In many ways it’s so appropriate to lead off this year on the 24th of April (Anzac Day eve) with that solemn moment of reflection in this wonderful place, Sydney Harbour, which is a sort of gateway to modern Australia,” Sir Peter told The Daily Telegraph.
A veteran who won the Military Cross in Vietnam, went on to lead the Australian Defence Forces, was Australian of the Year in 2001 and became Governor-General in 2014, Sir Peter said he admired the country’s respect for its military.
“I remember one time going through the airport terminal here in Sydney,” he said. “I was Chief of the Army at the time and we had some people coming back from operational service.
“They were in uniform and passing through to get from one flight to another. They were on the other side of the terminal from me and someone in the crowd started clapping.
“It’s pretty unusual in Australia and I was thinking ‘what’s happening, is Kylie Minogue here’. Then others started to clap and it became obvious the crowd was acknowledging this small group of soldiers.
“They looked confused and embarrassed so I walked over to them and said ‘they’re clapping you fellas, give them a wave’.
“I do think people understand that those men and women have taken an oath to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect Australia and its people’s interests.
“And Anzac Day will always remain in our consciousness.”
For Cosgrove, born into a military family, marching on 25 April holds a special and personal significance.
“I march with my old mates from Vietnam, and we’re all older now than the first World War guys were when I was a little tacker and standing in George St, there with my mum and my sister,” he said.
“My grandfather would be marching and my father would march. Endless legions going past.”
* Tickets for the Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute from 4.30-6.00pm on Thursday are free but tickets are required for entry. They can be booked at https://lestweforget.org.au
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Originally published as More than 4000 set to attend “Lest We Forget” tribute on Anzac Day eve
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