Anzac Day
The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' landing at Gallipoli in Turkey (now Türkiye) during the First World War.
With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military and peace keeping operations.
The story of Anzac Day is one of courage and endurance in the face of trauma and tragedy; what was anticipated to be a quick mission to remove Turkey from the First World War turned into a battle that caused thousands of casualties on both sides over eight months.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance of enduring importance within Australia. It is an opportunity for veterans, current service men and women and the general public to pay their respects to those who have served our country.
Anzac Day traditions are widely practised throughout Australia and New Zealand and include wearing a sprig of rosemary and attending a Dawn Service or Anzac Day march, baking Anzac biscuits, enjoying a gunfire breakfast, and playing a game of two-up.
Listen to a recording by Gareth McCray OAM about Australians who served at Anzac Cove in the First World War:
ANZAC-Day-presentation-2023-3.mp3
Listen to a recording of the poem Anzac Cove, written by Australian poet Leon Gellert (1892–1977), who was among the AIF enlistees at Gallipoli in 1915:
Link to audio announcements of a Dawn Service by Gareth McCray OAM which can be utilised as applicable.
Marking Anzac Day in 2025
There’s more than one way to commemorate on Anzac Day including:
- Attend the NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service
- Attend the Sydney CBD Anzac Day March
- Attend the Anzac Day Commemoration Service
- Attend a local service
- Watch the ABC telecast from 4:00am
Local NSW Anzac Day events and services
There are many commemoration services held throughout NSW, organised by RSL NSW sub-Branches and with support from local councils and shires and thousands of volunteers.
For more information on how you can commemorate Anzac Day in your local area, click here.
NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service
The official NSW Dawn Service is held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place at 4.30am which is believed to have been the approximate time at which the first Australians waded ashore at Anzac Cove.
Like previous years, access to the ceremonial area of the NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service is invite only. Only invited guests will be allowed entry into the ceremonial site. Invited guests are able to enter the site via Pitt Street.
There are two general public viewing areas, open from 3:00am:
- Section 1: Martin Place at George Street. Seating is available until capacity is reached. Once reached, standing room will be available until capacity is reached. Entry via George St.
- Section 2: Martin Place between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street. Standing only. Entry via Castlereagh St.
People with a disability or limited mobility can register to access an accessible viewing area by emailing accessibility@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au or calling 9228 4613.
Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, Martin Place. (Photo copyright: NSW Government)
The Sydney CBD Anzac Day March
The March takes place along Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD and there are many locations to view the March on both sides of Elizabeth Street. Limited spectator access will be available towards the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Liverpool Street, as the Marchers observe the Act of Remembrance adjacent to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South.
Accessibility viewing areas are available to people with disability or limited mobility. Please email accessibility@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au or call 9228 4613.
It is encouraged that spectators use public transport to travel to the Sydney CBD on Anzac Day. More information will be available on the Transport NSW website.
“Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat.”
— Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean (1879–1968)
Anzac Day March in Sydney's CBD. (Photo copyright: Salty Dingo.)
Anzac Day Commemoration Service
The Anzac Day Commemoration Service commences at 12:30pm and is held on the northern forecourt of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park and general public viewing areas are located around the Pool of Reflection.
For more information, click here.
Anzac Day Service at the Anzac Memorial. Photo courtesy of RSL NSW. (Photo copyright: Salty Dingo)
Rosemary
Rosemary has been a symbol of remembrance since ancient times but became especially significant to Anzac Day following World War One. Rosemary is traditionally pinned to lapels or medals on Anzac Day.
Native to the Mediterranean coast, rosemary grows wild on the slopes of the Gallipoli peninsula. As the tale goes, a wounded digger brought home a small rosemary bush from Anzac Cove. He planted it in the grounds of the Army Hospital at Keswick, South Australia, and cuttings from that bush have been used to propagate rosemary plants across Australia.
Since then, Australians and New Zealanders have worn sprigs of rosemary on Anzac Day in memory of the fallen.
If you would like to secure Rosemary for your Anzac Day event, please contact Sydney Legacy on 02 9248 9000 or enquiries@sydney-legacy.com.au.
Photo courtesy of Peter Reynolds.
Wearing medals
Anzac Day is a commemorative occasion where current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, and family members of veterans, wear medals.
Medals awarded to the wearer should be worn on the left. Combat badges awarded for war-like service, association badges and rosemary for Anzac Day or a poppy for Remembrance Day are also worn on the left, above the medals.
Family member’s medals should be worn on the right as well as any state-issued medals.
Unit Citations for the Army and Air Force are worn on the right while Navy citations are worn on the left, under the medals.
For more information, please visit the Australian Defence Force website.
Anzac Day Speeches
Below are some sample speeches which can be downloaded and delivered at your Anzac Day dawn service or event in 2025, which include an acknowledgment of the 110th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. Please select the speech and theme relevant to your organisation.
For high profile events:
- Theme: Honouring courage, legacy and unity
- Theme: Honouring sacrifice and inspiring unity
- Theme: Honouring valor, unity and sacrifice through generations
For community events:
- Theme: Honouring sacrifice and the Anzac spirit
- Theme: Honouring service and continuing the Anzac spirit
- Theme: Honouring service and reflecting on legacy
For primary schools:
- Theme: Anzac spirit of courage
- Theme: Remembering heroes and embracing the Anzac spirit
- Theme: Remembering sacrifice and peace
For high schools:
- Theme: Honouring courage and the enduring Anzac spirit
- Theme: Honouring sacrifice and the legacy of courage
- Theme: Honouring sacrifice and the enduring spirit of service
For nursing homes:
- Theme: Honouring courage, unity and community
- Theme: Honouring sacrifice, community and the Anzac spirit
- Theme: Honouring veterans, compassion and community
Commemorate on social media
A simple way to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving personnel is to post to your social media accounts, whether that be Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
Below are some images you can use, and remember to include the hashtags: #Anzac Day, #AnzacDay2025, #LestWeForget, #AnzacSpirit.
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Instagram/Facebook post – 
 Instagram/Facebook post – Download |
 Instagram/Facebook post – Download |