– Source: ABC

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Thousands attend ANZAC Dawn Services around the country!

Thousands of people have gathered at dawn services around the country to mark the 95th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand troops landing at Gallipoli.

Undeterred by heavy overnight rain, around 20,000 people turned out at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to honour the 8,000 Australians who died during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.

Veterans and serving members of the Australian Defence Force were joined by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and thousands of civilians for the poignant service.

Two wreathes were laid at the Stone of Remembrance as a symbol of Anzac unity by Commander Geoff Hazel from the ACT RSL and Air Commodore Peter Port from the New Zealand High Commission.

ACT RSL president John King addressed the crowd, saying the Anzacs have established an imperishable tradition of selfless service, devotion to duty and fighting for all that is best in human relationships.

“Let us dedicate ourselves to taking up the burdens of the fallen and with the same high courage and steadfastness with which they went into battle, set our hands to the tasks they left unfinished,” he said.

“Let us dedicate ourselves to the service of the ideals for which they died.”

Senior Army Chaplain Catie Inches-Ogden gave the commemorative address, reminding people of the Anzac values.

Reverend Inches-Ogden was one of two chaplains who recently reburied 249 British and Australian soldiers killed in the disastrous Battle of Fromelles, France, in July 1916.

“The lives and the legacies of the Anzacs insight us as ordinary Australians to live our lives in extraordinary ways,” she said.

“To live in our relationships, our homes and our workplaces so that compassion, justice and hope may abound. And to live so that oppression, violence and despair are diminished.”

Reverend Inches-Ogden challenged Australians who do not like Anzac Day and consider it “past its used by date”.

“They have missed the point. Perhaps they should be here. Because when we as a nation take time to reflect on the Anzac stories we are enabled to grow in wisdom,” she said.

“As we hear again the stories of the Anzac women and men who stood up in the face of destruction and tragedy, who demonstrated by their deeds of bravery and compassion that the power of courage and sacrifice prevail over war and violence, we indeed have examples to follow.

“The lives and the sacrifices of the Anzacs invite us today to live with hope, with compassion and integrity in our daily lives and in our relationships. ”

A lone bugler played the Last Post, symbolising the duty of the dead is over and they can rest in peace.

Sydney:
Kookaburras and cockatoos broke the following minute’s silence as the crowd paused in the dark to remember all Australian service men and women.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed the National Commemoration Ceremony at the War Memorial this morning. New South Wales

Crowds packed Martin Place for Sydney’s Anzac Day dawn service, despite the drizzly rain.

The Anzac address was given by Commander of the Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, who says the day is about remembering all those who have died.

“It is because of their sacrifice, and ultimate sacrifice, repeated far too often, that we are as we are today,” he said.

The lights went off in Martin Place as the last post was played, and some veterans and all defence personnel at the service saluted.

After the ceremony, many stayed on standing around the cenotaph and laying wreaths.

Melbourne
Tens of thousands of people have marked the 95th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing at the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne.

The service at the Shrine of Remembrance started with stories about Victorians who served with distinction in conflicts since World War I.

A lone bugler played the Last Post, and defence force riflemen fired a volley of three shots.

Victoria’s Governor, Professor David De Kretser, laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Victoria.

The president of Victoria’s RSL, Major General David McLachlan, says he is confident Anzac day will always be an important day of commemoration for Australians.

“I think you will find that the dawn service will be the predominant activity and the march will fall away more so,” he said.

“But I think the dawn service will get bigger. There are 88,000 people serving.”

Queensland
Thousands gathered to pay their respects in Brisbane, and for the first time, the Turkish flag flew alongside the Australian flag at the front of the cenotaph.

School students formed a guard of honour as a procession of veterans and their families made their way to Anzac Square in Brisbane’s CBD.

The bugle sounded at exactly 4:28am AEST, marking the moment the first Australian soldier set foot onto the beach at Anzac Cove in World War I.

Queensland Governor Penny Wensley spoke of the sacrifices the Anzacs made and their contribution to forging the nation’s identity.

“Above all, we hold to the ultimate responsibility, always to remember them, always to honour their memory,” she said.

The Brisbane Boys’ College choir sang hymns, as hundreds laid wreaths around the eternal flame to the strains of the Last Post.

In Townsville, crowds overflowed from the memorial park along the waterfront in what city council had predicted to be the largest turnout yet.

Tasmania
Among the crowd who converged on Hobart’s cenotaph were many young Tasmanians keen to keep the Anzac spirit alive.

Reverend Cyril Dann lead the service, urging people to remember those who have lost their lives in modern day conflicts.

The service ended with the last post and a minute’s silence.

In Launceston, more than 4,000 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service at King’s Park.

The RSL’s Launceston president, Glenn Cash, says crowds have been growing in recent years.

“I think the younger generation are wanting to get more involved with it,” he said.

“And there’s a lot more turning out now with their grandfather’s, father’s medals, they feel like they want to participate and be part of it.”

Northern Territory
The number of people at the Darwin Cenotaph grew steadily throughout the morning, with more than 3,000 people arriving for the service.

More than 50 wreaths were laid on the cenotaph.

Chief Minister Paul Henderson laid the first wreath.

Commodore David Gwyther addressed the congregation, paying special tribute to Darwin Corporal Matthew Hopkins, who was killed in Afghanistan last year. Western Australia

Perth
In Perth, a huge crowd crammed into Kings Park for the service at the state war memorial.

Among the tens of thousands there was Rob Diyong, who brought his eight-year-old son James to honour Mr Diyong’s grandfather who fought in World War I.

Dawn services were also held at regional centres across Western Australia, including Albany, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton

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“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
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