Final preparations are under way for Anzac Day ceremonies across the nation.
The revered annual event commemorates the courage and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).
This year Anzac Day will be observed throughout the country’s capital cities and regions on Tuesday, April 25.
An array of events and ceremonies are scheduled to take place, offering Australians the opportunity to honour the courage, mateship and resilience exhibited by the diggers.
Canberra: The Australian War Memorial Dawn Service
The Australian War Memorial will host the solemn Dawn Service in Canberra, beginning at 5.30am.
The program includes the Dawn Service, a ceremony hosted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Service Association and the RSL (ACT Branch) Veterans March.
Attendance is free, with bus transportation and viewing options available from Reid Oval. For further information on events, transportation and road closures, visit the Australian War Memorial website.
Sydney: The Cenotaph ceremony and march
Sydney’s Martin Place Cenotaph sets the stage for a poignant ceremony, beginning at 4.20am with the laying of wreaths and culminating in a march that will take place along Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD at 9am.
Participants include veterans, serving personnel and descendants, showcasing a diverse assemblage of remembrance and unity.
Melbourne: The Shrine of Remembrance Dawn Service and march
At Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, the Dawn Service starts at 5.30am, followed by a march through the city, starting at 9am.
The procession traverses Swanston Street and St Kilda Road, concluding at the Shrine, where a commemorative service occurs.
Brisbane: Anzac Square Service and parade
Brisbane’s Anzac Square, located in the city’s heart, hosts a Dawn Service at 4.28am, a symbolic time marking the Gallipoli landings.
The Anzac Day Parade will be held on Adelaide Street, between George Street and Creek Street, from 9.45am to 12.30pm.
It will feature former and current Australian Defence Force veterans and other groups that contribute to the parade.
Adelaide: National War Memorial Dawn Service and march
In Adelaide, the National War Memorial hosts a Dawn Service at 6am, followed by a march that starts at 9.30am.
The procession, comprising veterans, current servicemen and women, and their families, proceeds along North Terrace, concluding at the Torrens Parade Ground.
Perth: Kings Park State War Memorial Dawn Service and March
Perth’s Kings Park State War Memorial is the city’s Dawn Service venue, starting at 5.50am.
Subsequently, the Anzac Day March commences at 9am, with the procession traversing St Georges Terrace and culminating at Langley Park.
A sausage sizzle will be provided by the Salvation Army at Langley Park.
Hobart: Hobart Cenotaph Dawn Service and parade
The Dawn Service at Hobart’s Cenotaph begins at 6am, with a commemorative address and the laying of wreaths.
At 11am, the Anzac Day Parade starts at the corner of Macquarie and Elizabeth Streets, proceeding towards the Cenotaph for a concluding service.
Darwin: Darwin Cenotaph Dawn Service and parade
In Darwin, the Cenotaph hosts the Dawn Service at 6am.
The Anzac Day Parade follows, starting at 9am, and features participants from various organisations, schools and community groups.
Overseas commemorations and how to acknowledge the day at home
Anzac Day commemorations will also occur overseas where Australians have served or continue to serve.
Department of Veterans Affairs-led services will occur in Gallipoli, Turkey, and Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Both Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux hold special meaning for Australians, as they fought and died in both locations during the First World War, forging the Anzac traditions embraced and carried on by the Australian Defence Force.
The Dawn Service in Gallipoli will occur at the Anzac Commemorative Site, followed by a service at the Lone Pine Memorial.
In France, the Dawn Service will occur at the Australian National Memorial, just outside the village of Villers-Bretonneux, with an afternoon service at the Australian ‘Digger’ Memorial at Bullecourt.
The international Dawn Services in Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux will be broadcast live on ABC on Anzac Day and streamed live on DVA’s Facebook page.
Anzac Day provides an occasion for public and private reflection on the sacrifices of servicemen and women.
To plan a small service or home commemoration, the DVA’s digital kitbag offers resources, including speeches, orders of service and playlists. You can access the kitbag through the Anzac portal.
