Commemoration

New South Wales observes a number of commemorative events marking the involvement of all who served Australia in conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

ANZAC Day: 25 April

ANZAC Day commemorates the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and represents the conflict at Gallipoli that began on 25 April 1915. For detailed information, visit the ANZAC Day website.

A number of commemorative services are held annually to honour all who have served:

• Dawn Service is commemorated by the Dawn Service Trust and held at the Cenotaph Martin Place.
• A Wreath-Laying Service is held in the morning at the Cenotaph Martin Place.

The ANZAC Day March for all returned servicemen and women is organised by the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) each year. The march proceeds down George and Bathurst Streets to the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park.

Sunset Service is organised by the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) at the Cenotaph Martin Place.

Indigenous Veterans Ceremony: May

As part of National Reconciliation Week, a ceremony is held in each capital city to commemorate the service and sacrifice of indigenous veterans. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have fought for Australia in every major conflict since the Boer War.

Battle of Fromelles: July

The Battle of Fromelles occurred in France on July 19-20 1916 during the First World War. The action was intended as a diversion from the larger battle at Somme and also at taking the Germans in a surprise attack. The diversion failed, some 5,500 Australians were killed and the Germans won a decisive victory. A commemorative service is held at the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park each year in July.

Reserve Forces Day Parade: July

The Reserve Forces Day Parade is composed of Australian Navy, Army and Air Force Reserves and visiting overseas troops. The parade has been held since 1998 and it has had up to 5000 serving and former members participating. The purpose of the parade is to raise the profile of the Reserve Forces and thank former reservists for their service.

Australian Army Training Team Vietnam: July

The Australian Army Training Team were sent to Vietnam in a training and advisory capacity as part of the US Military Assistance Command in July 1962. The Team was withdrawn from active service in December 1972. It was operational for over ten years and has the distinction of being the longest serving and most highly decorated Australian unit of the Vietnam War. A commemoration service is held at the ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park in July.

Australian Army Advisors - The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV)

VP Day: 15 August

VP Day (Victory in the Pacific) marks the end of hostilities in World War II with the surrender of Japan to the allied forces on 15 August 1945. Almost forty thousand Australian gave their lives during the war.

Vietnam Veterans Day: 18 August

Ceremonies commemorating all Australian Vietnam Veterans are held on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. A State Government Reception is also held annually to honour all those men and women who served in Vietnam.

Vietnam Veterans Day
Australia and the Vietnam War

Battle for Australia: September

The Battle For Australia is commemorated on the first Wednesday in September at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney. This Battle commemorates all actions taken in the Pacific Region to defend Australia against the Japanese military force.

Remembrance Day: 11 November

Each year Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November and marks the end of the First World War after four years of conflict. Originally known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day commemorates the signing of the peace agreement between Germany and the Allies that ended the war. The ANZAC Memorial Building and the Opera House are lit in red on the eve of Remembrance Day to highlight to the community the significance of the following days events. A Wreath Laying ceremony is held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place at 11 am on Remembrance Day. At 11 am on the Day, a two minute silence is observed in memory of those who served.