110 years on, Australians still rise before dawn — but not everyone marches to the same beat

As the nation marks 110 years since Gallipoli, young Australians reflect on what Anzac Day means to them – and say despite a perception that the youth are “detached” – they too can honour the past.

Photo from Australian War Memorial

As dawn breaks over the nation’s capital, thousands gathered in solemn silence on the Parade Ground of the Australian War Memorial to mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

And to young Australians, the day still holds a particular poignancy.

At 5.30am, a Dawn Service returned to the Parade Ground for the first time since 2021.

Rear Admiral Matt Buckley AM CSC RAN, Deputy Chief of Navy, delivered the commemorative address.

Tom Morris, 23, set his alarm early.

“I’ve been going since I was a child because my uncle served in the British army... I think it’s important commemorate the lives sacrificed for Australia,” he said.

“It’s important for young people to show respect, our generation is more detached than ever, we should remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and to continue to learn about the ANZACs.”

Mattison Ball and McKenzie Ball attending The Dawn Service in Sydney in 2022.

Penny Bate from Canberra, 22 said she has been attending The Dawn Service for as long as she can remember.

“I’ve been going since I can remember so maybe 5 or 6,” she said.

“ANZAC means a lot because I come from a military family.

“My dad and uncles are all ex-military and veterans so I go to Anzac Day to commemorate those who made sacrifices for us.

“I will go for the rest of my life...I think its such an important day.”

Penelope Bate and Adam Bate, attending Anzac Day services in 2023.

McKenzie Ball, 23, from Sydney, has been going every single year even during COVID.

“We stood out on the street at 5am and tuned into a certain radio station and held a candle. People were playing bagpipes from their front lawns in our suburb.,” she said.

“I go to the Anzac Day Dawn Service because I feel an obligation to pay respect to those who fought for us.

Her twin sister, Mattison Ball said: “I believe that waking up at 5am for the dawn service is a peaceful, quiet and powerful moment for all Australians.”

However, some young people are still on the fence.

Anzac Day Dawn Service 2025

One young person who wished to remain anonymous said: ““I think it's become over commercialised and although it's getting better, it hasn’t been inclusive in the past.”

Leo van Brunschot is attending the service but said “there is a lot to celebrate about Australia’s military history- but also a lot to be shameful for.”

Lilia Piper shared how she’s never been. “As an adult, I respect and appreciate the service of veterans but would rather donate to a charity or mental health service.”

“I'm not attending and I never have been. My parents are anti-war to the extreme.”

In the quiet hours before sunrise, the Memorial building was illuminated by projections from its rich photographic collection, while excerpts from wartime diaries and letters were read aloud from 4.30am.

At 7.30am, attention turned to the For Our Country memorial, where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association will host a moving ceremony to recognise the First Nations men and women who have served and sacrificed.

The National Commemorative Service begins at 9.30am with the Veterans’ March, led by the ACT Branch of the RSL.

At 4.30pm, the day concludes with the Last Post Ceremony, commemorating Captain Edward Frederick Robert Bage, a fallen solider killed near Lone Pine when he and his companions came under fire from five Turkish machine guns.

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Originally published as 110 years on, Australians still rise before dawn — but not everyone marches to the same beat