As the sun rises on Anzac Day, people across Australia pause to honour the sacrifices made by veterans from the country’s armed forces. The day begins with solemn dawn services, taking place in locations ranging from local parks to the iconic Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as well as overseas at significant sites like Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux in France.
Following the dawn ceremonies, the day features parades and wreath-laying events, providing a backdrop to the traditional long-weekend celebrations. In Sydney, the annual dawn service at Martin Place is set for 4:20 am, while Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance will host its service at 5:30 am, and Brisbane’s commemoration will kick off at 4:28 am. Active members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and veterans’ families will participate in the customary marches throughout the day.
One of the highlights includes a significant dawn service at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, commemorating Australia’s involvement in World War I, which will be broadcast live in Australia at 12:30 pm on the ABC. In addition, viewers can tune in at 1:30 pm for a live broadcast of the Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service from the Australian National Memorial in France.
While millions take part in these commemorative activities, the day also allows for a bit of leisure as Australia enjoys a consecutive long weekend. Pubs and Returned and Services League (RSL) clubs will be bustling with patrons looking to unwind, including participating in the traditional game of two-up. However, the roads are expected to be busy, with some shops closed and certain states imposing double demerit points for traffic violations during this period.
Anzac Day is not only a time for remembrance but also a moment for communities to come together in appreciation of the service and sacrifice of those who have served their country.