On the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, Australians gathered nationwide to commemorate ANZAC Day, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in the country’s armed forces.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suspended their election campaigns to participate in dawn services and reflect on the enduring legacy of the ANZAC spirit.
Prime Minister Albanese said,
“We renew our vow to keep the flame of memory burning”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, emphasising the importance of remembrance and the responsibility to honour those who served.
“As we gather around cenotaphs or watch the parades, we reflect on all who have served in our name and all who serve now,” Albanese said.
“We contemplate the debt we owe them—those who finally came home, their hearts reshaped by all they had seen, and those who tragically never did.”
He highlighted the significance of ANZAC Day as a time to stand against the erosion of time and to ensure that the sacrifices made are not forgotten.
“ANZAC Day asks us to stand against … ,” he added.
Opposition Leader Dutton: “We remember them so we don’t forget who we are”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attended the ANZAC Eve Harbour Commemoration, marking 80 years since the end of… Second World War. He joined veterans Norma Booth, John McAuley, and Des Jones in honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians.
“We will remember them,” Dutton stated.
“It was a great honour to join veterans at the ANZAC Eve Harbour Commemoration—a moving tribute marking 80 years since the end … Second World War.”
Dutton reflected on the layers of meaning carried by ANZAC commemorations, acknowledging the service and sacrifice of Australians, the gratitude owed to soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and the responsibility as custodians of their legacy.
“There’s the sense of national self-confidence we can draw in remembering that they were, like us, ordinary Australians.
What made them remarkable was that they did the extraordinary despite being ordinary—answering the times and circumstances in which they found themselves,”
he said.
A Nation Remembers
Across Australia, communities participated in dawn services, marches, and commemorative events to honour the ANZAC legacy. The day served as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of those who served and the importance of preserving their memory for future generations.
As Prime Minister Albanese concluded, “Lest we forget.”
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