Australians turn out for Anzac Day services commemorating the WWI Gallipoli landings in 1915
Scores of people loudly booed the Welcome to Country celebration at the start of Sydney’s main Anzac Day Dawn Service ceremony.
Uncle Ray Minniecon, a local soldier whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade, continued to deliver his vote of thanks despite loud booing for nearly a minute and was applauded when he finished.
It was a somber start to the glorious day when tens of thousands of Australians gathered across the country for Anzac Day Dawn Service ceremonies to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
A number of dignitaries attended the ceremony, including NSW Governor Margaret Beazely, Premier Chris Minns and federal minister Tanya Plibersek.
Anthony Albanese lays a wreath at the Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
The Prime Minister had originally planned to be in Gallipoli for Anzac Day, but canceled these plans with the start of the US-Iran war.
BRS joins Currumbin service
Other major ceremonies are taking place in capital cities, including the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and Currumbin on the Gold Coast, where Ben Roberts-Smith was spotted.
The 47-year-old man was charged earlier this month with five counts of war crime murder relating to alleged conduct during his service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
The Victoria Cross recipient has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges, but has denied the allegations.
He was at the Elephant Rock service in Currumbin wearing a suit and his medals, including the Victoria Cross.
Anzac Day services
Dawn Ceremonies will be held in Australia and New Zealand; The Last Message will be played, a minute’s silence will be observed and the Ode will be recited.
Communities will then come together for moments of reunion, as well as gun breakfasts, marches and commemorations featuring veterans and families.
The first of the Australian ceremonies began with a solemn ceremony at 4.20pm at the cenotaph at Martin Place in Sydney, along with the march.
Later in the day, doubles is legally played in bars and clubs, Anzac biscuits are shared, and sprigs of rosemary and red poppies are worn in memory of those who served in Gallipoli.
Memorial ceremonies also increasingly include purple poppies for animals and an infinity symbol recognizing military personnel who died by suicide.
111 years have passed since the first Gallipoli landing in Türkiye during the First World War.
The eight-month campaign supporting British efforts to capture the capital of the Ottoman Empire cost the lives of 8,141 Australians. Another 17,970 people were injured.
‘Let’s not forget’
The Prime Minister released a video message honoring the original Anzacs and all Australians who have served in the military since.
“Australians in combat have time and again represented the courage, sacrifice and friendship that define our national character,” he said.
“Their legacy proves to us that peace is always worth fighting for, even when it seems elusive. That’s why we come together.
“And as we give thanks for the light of every bright dawn that they promise us, we continue to feed the flame of memory.
“Let’s not forget.”
More to come
