Powerful images as Aussies commemorate Anzac Day
Thousands of Australians across the country and the world are marking the most solemn day on the nation’s calendar.
Australians and New Zealanders have gathered to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli in World War I.
Services were held in cities and towns, big and small, to mark Anzac Day - the most solemn day on the Australian calendar.
There were emotional scenes with young and old gatehred to pay tribute to fallen servicemen and women.
As first light broke over the horizon of capital cities, the crowds filled into RSLs and community halls across the country for tea, coffee and Anzac biscuits.
Over 7,000 current serving members and veterans, some from as far back as the Second World War, marched from Martin Place to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney from 9am.
War Memorial, Adelaide
Thousands gathered at the Adelaide dawn service including Premier Peter Malinauskas and Senator Penny Wong to lay wreaths.
Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane
In Brisbane, thousands flocked to the Shrine of Remembrance to reflect on Anzac Day.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wore a poppy pinned to the lapel of her coat for the early morning service.
Sydney
A small crowd were given the lucky opportunity to ring in the national day of remembrance on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The harbour was aglow with golden light as the bugle played the last post from above the city skyline.
NSW Premier Chris Minns attended his first service after being elected last month, before rushing down south to attend the march and commemoration at the local RSL in his electorate of Kogarah.
A small crowd were given the lucky opportunity to ring in the national day of remembrance on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The harbour was aglow with golden light as the bugle played the last post from above the city skyline.
NSW Premier Chris Minns attended his first service after being elected last month, before rushing down south to attend the march and commemoration at the local RSL in his electorate of Kogarah.
The sombre tune of the last post is ringing out across the darkness in Sydney’s Martin Place at 5am.
Silence fell over the city for one minute as the song comes to a close.
The Sydney Maori Choir, composed of New Zealanders now living in Sydney, sing a haunting rendition of the Song of Sorrow in tribute to Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have died fighting for their country.
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
In Canberra, about 30,000 gathered before first light the Australian War Memorial despite the mercury reaching an icy 6C.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the crowd of thousands who came out in the cold to pay their respects during his first Anzac Day address as the nation’s leader.
“Of course, many did come home, only to face another battle within. A battle that, tragically, is not always won,” he said.
“If we are to truly honour our veterans, we owe them something more than just gratitude. Just as they stepped up for us, we must step up for them.”
The bugle playe out at first light in the nation’s capital in a rendition of the Last Post before a minute’s silence fell over the crowd.
Minister Veterans David Harris said Anzac Day was an opportunity for the community to pay respects to those who have served our country.
“It was heartening to see the large crowd honouring the Anzac spirit and paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” he said.
Mooloolaba Anzac Day 2023 - enormous respect #AnzacDay2023pic.twitter.com/8ocHIOdAHT
— Corey McKernan (@CoreyMcKernan) April 24, 2023
Later, thousands lined Anzac Parade in Canberra to watch on and show their support for veterans in the annual march.
Governor-General David Hurley, who also marched in the parade alongside the past servicemen and women, addressed the gathering.
In his speech, he commemorated the 30th anniversary of ADF operations in Somalia and the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
“Vietnam and Somalian operations were different in scale, duration and intensity, but they were very strongly linked,” he told the crowd.
“They were linked because it was Vietnam veterans who taught the Somalia generation of servicemen and women our military skills and what it means to wear your country’s uniform.”
US ambassador Caroline Kennedy, former prime minister Tony Abbott, chief of the defence force Angus Campbell and former defence minister and now chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial, Kim Beazely were also in attendance.
Mr Hurley also reflected on the intergenerational links that bind the nation’s troops.
“Each generation learns from those who have served before. Just as the Vietnam generation learned from those who served in the second world war, Korea and the Malay Peninsula,” he said.
“We are also linked by the shared experience of serving together. Perhaps that emotion we refer to as mateship, marching with your mates is one of the most satisfying of life’s experiences.”
Free public transport is being offered to all current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families.
Spectators can head into Elizabeth Street in Sydney to pay tribute to servicemen and their families as they make their way through the CBD alongside marching bands and bag pipes.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicepeople will be recognised at the Coloured Digger March at 1.30pm in Redfern.
“In the early light of dawn when the Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, little did they know they were making history, forming a legend that would resonate for generations to come,” Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said.
“Even though more than a century has passed, we will continue to honour their service, share their stories and remember their names.”
Mr Keogh will represent Australia at the Gallipoli service, where some 60,000 Australians served during the eight-month campaign and where more than 8700 died.
Services will also be held internationally on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Villers-Bretonneux in France, Hellfire Pass in Thailand, Sandakan in Malaysia and in Papua New Guinea as well as New Zealand.
Veterans, and in some cases their descendants, will take part in marches, before games of two-up will take place at many veteran ketchups.
But Anzac Day isn’t just about commemorating the Gallipoli landing – it is also about honouring Australia’s servicemen and women who have served and continue to do so in war and peacekeeping.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration which ended Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, where 521 Australians were killed and more than 3000 were wounded.
In Australia, the national Anzac Day Dawn Service and RSL Veterans’ March will recognise the 30th Anniversary of Australia’s peacekeeping operations in Somalia at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
“We acknowledge the 1200 Australian Defence personnel who are currently deployed on operations and we remember all of those who’ve served wearing our nation’s uniform and those who have lost their lives in conflict,” Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
This year also marks the 105th anniversary of the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, where Australian and British troops defended and then took back the town from the advancing German forces.
“It is here on the Western Front that Australia suffered its greatest losses in the First World War,” Assistant Minister Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Thistlethwaite, who will be in France, said.
He also urged veterans and their families to be aware of the issues and emotions such a day can stir up.
“Anzac Day can be a day of mixed emotions for our veterans; while it is a day to honour their service and catch up with mates, it can be a difficult day for many,” he said.
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