Service and sacrifice remembered on ANZAC day

SBS Australia

25-04-2025

"They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them." The Ode of Remembrance, read by Peter Baldwin, President of the ACT Returned and Services League. More than 25,000 people gathered at the Australian War Memorial as dawn broke on ANZAC Day. The national service is one of hundreds of gatherings across Australia, marking the 110th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. Scott Bevan hosted the ceremony. "We assemble here at this special place of remembrance on this day, symbolically close to the time that the first ANZACs - young men from Australia and New Zealand - landed on a Turkish beach during the First World War. As we remember the ANZACs of 1915, we also remember all of those who have followed in their footsteps. We especially remember those who gave their lives, those who gave their good health, and those who grieve for them." The 25th of April commemorates the Gallipoli campaign in World War I. On April 25, 1915, troops landed on what's now known as ANZAC Cove in Türkiye Over the next eight months, Australian and New Zealand forces served side by side through the harsh conditions, along with troops from India, France, and Britain. More than 8,000 Australians and almost 3,000 New Zealanders lost their lives, around 1/6th of all those who had landed on the peninsula. The day also recognises the service of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have fought in subsequent conflicts and who continue to serve in the armed forces today. Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Matt Buckley gave the dawn service address. "May the stories of every sailor, soldier and aviator who has served our nation at war, in competition and in crisis, be remembered and may the spirit of those more than 103,000 Australians on the Wall of Remembrance behind me, who made the ultimate sacrifice, be with us always, lest we forget." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Dawn Service in Canberra. "We who are gathered here think of those who went out to the battlefields of all wars, but did not return. We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice." Whilst opposition leader Peter Dutton was in Queensland - releasing a pre recorded message overnight. "In this year, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we particularly express our gratitude to the 1 million Australians who served, and served with great honour."