Australians gather ‘in peace and liberty’ to honour Anzacs
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reflected on the sacrifice of Australian troops at the Isurava Memorial Site, as thousands of Aussies attend Dawn Services across the country to mark Anzac Day.
Anthony Albanese has thanked the villagers in Papua New Guinea who risked their lives to support Australian soldiers in need, calling them “ angels walking tall through the hell of war.”
The Prime Minister walked the Kokoda Track on Thursday morning before he joined PNG counterpart James Marape at the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Isurava Memorial Site.
“We gather today on ground made hallow by Australian sacrifice,” Mr Albanese said
“Where we now have the privilege of joining together in peace and liberty, Australian soldiers fought to hold back a relentless enemy.
“Six-hundred-and-twenty-five Australians were killed on the Kokoda Track. Of those, 99 fell in the Battle of Isurava and 111 more were wounded. And we remember and honour them this morning.”
Meanwhile, thousands gathered at Dawn Service’s across the country Thursday morning for Anzac Day, with some of the biggest crowds in the last few years.
In Sydney’s Martin Place, Chris Minns read out the poem “Salute” by Sydney Elliott Napier and laid a wreath, while Tanya Plibersek laid a wreath in place of Mr Albanese.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley also attended the Sydney service.
The NSW Premier said it was nice to see The Dawn Service “remain a solemn occasion”, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“I think the best thing about the ceremony this morning is to see the number of people that come early in the morning,” Mr Minns said.
“You have to get here at about 3am and it’s great to see so many families and kids as well.
“Times like today the community can come together and remember those who gave their lives for our country and it’s so nice to see it remain a solemn occasion.”
A crowd of about 32,000 people gathered in Canberra as Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, delivered The Dawn Service address at the Australian War Memorial.
He asked that everyone hold those who mourn today in their hearts, and “remember those whose service left them wounded in body, mind, or spirit”.
“Every day the members of the Australian Defence Force walk in the footsteps of those who fought and died for Australia. And every day the people of Australia live in peace as citizens of a nation that is one and free because of that sacrifice,” he said.
“We have much to be grateful for and much to live up to as we walk into Dawn’s new light together.
Lest we forget.”
It’s estimated about 40,000 Victorians gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance, including Premier Jacinta Allan, Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, Senator Jane Hume, and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner said “This Day of Remembrance began in the blood, bravery and the sacrifices that marked the shores of Gallipoli”.
“We are here then to remember all those all those who cannot be remembered, the lost, the forgotten, the unknown. And we are here to promise to remember the human cost of conflict before we ever return to that parallel world of war,” she said.
An estimated 15,000 people flocked to Brisbane’s Anzac Square this morning while others headed to Surfers Paradise beachfront at its Esplanade war memorial to pay their respects.
More Coverage
So many visits signal a whole lot of trouble for Labor
Labor is in trouble in the Northern Territory and in danger of losing at least one seat – Darwin-based Solomon – at the election.
‘Pressure from above’: ABC executive pushed by Buttrose
Christopher Oliver-Taylor was under pressure to sack Antoinette Lattouf after Ita Buttrose made clear she was ‘deeply unhappy’ with action taken on the stand-in radio host, the Federal Court has heard.