ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day: Honouring Courage and Sacrifice

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – the combined forces of the First Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Army. The name was first given to the troops who landed on the shores of Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula at dawn on 25 April 1915, just nine months after the outbreak of World War I.

Each year, on 25 April, Australians and New Zealanders observe ANZAC Day, a national day of remembrance that honours all who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Commemorations take two main forms:

Dawn Services are held across the country at the time of the original landing, offering a moment of quiet reflection and respect.

Commemorative Marches follow later in the day, with veterans and current service personnel parading through cities and regional towns.

Formal ceremonies are also held at war memorials nationwide. These collective observances invite Australians to reflect not only on the bravery and sacrifice of the ANZACs but also on the broader legacy and cost of war.