Australians and New Zealanders will stop to commemorate ANZAC Day this week in honour of those who have served and died in military operations throughout history.
ANZAC Day is commemorated on April 25 every year and this year, it falls on a Thursday. Serving as a public holiday, whenever the day falls on a weekend, it is still commemorated on a weekday (Monday or Friday of the respective week).
Why is ANZAC Day on April 25?
It’s the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand armed forces during World War I.
On April 25, 1915, ANZAC soldiers landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was the capital of the then-Ottoman Empire. This was when Australia and New Zealand were fighting as part of the Commonwealth for Britain, which had declared war against Germany. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died during the campaign.
How is Anzac Day commemorated?
There are many traditions associated with the day, but the two key events are a memorial service at dawn and a march later in the day.
Dawn services are symbolic of the time ANZAC forces originally landed on the shores of Gallipoli. These ceremonies typically involve the laying of floral wreaths, a moment of silence and a rendition of The Last Post — which is a specific tune played on a bugle.
Later in the day, former and current military personnel and family representatives march in a parade and gather with the public for a formal memorial service. Anyone can go to the public services, which are typically held in central areas.
Greek and Cypriot contingents will also be taking part in the marches across Australia this year.
ABC TV and ABC NEWS channel will broadcast the Gallipoli Dawn Service live from 12:30pm AEST, the Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service from 1:30pm AEST and the governor-general’s address from 6:55pm AEST.
Capital city broadcasts
Every capital city will have live TV coverage of a local march, however coverage of capital city dawn services varies.
Sydney
The Sydney Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC NEWS channel, ABC iview, ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio NSW and on the ABC listen app from 4:20am (AEST). The Sydney March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am (AEST).
Melbourne
The Melbourne March which will include Dawn Service highlights and will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am to 12pm (AEST). The Melbourne Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC Radio Melbourne and on the ABC listen app from 5.30am.
Canberra
The Canberra Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC NEWS channel, ABC iview, Radio National, ABC Local Radio and on the ABC listen app from 5.30am (AEST).
Hobart
The Hobart March will be broadcast live between 11am and 12.30pm (AEST) on ABC TV and ABC iview. This will include highlights of the Hobart Dawn Service.
Perth
The Perth March will be broadcast live between 9am and 10:30am (AWST) on ABC TV and ABC iview. This will include highlights of the Perth Dawn Service.
Adelaide
The Adelaide Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC iview, ABC Radio Adelaide, ABC Radio SA and on the ABC listen app from 6am to 7am (CST). The Adelaide March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am to 12pm (CST) and will include highlights of the Adelaide Dawn Service.
Brisbane
The Brisbane March will be broadcast live between 10am and 12.30pm (AEST) on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Darwin
The Darwin Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC iview, ABC Radio Darwin, ABC Radio NT and on the ABC listen app from 6am to 7am (CST). The Darwin March will be broadcast on ABC TV from 9am to 10am (CST).
All Anzac Day TV programming will be added to the Australia Remembers collection on ABC iview.
Commemorations across Greece
Lemnos
Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias will represent the Greek Government at this year’s ANZAC Day celebrations in Lemnos on Friday, April 26.
The celebrations are being organised by the Regional Unit of Lemnos. A memorial service will be held by Metropolitan Ierotheos of Lemnos at both the Allied cemetery of Mudros and Portianos, followed by the laying of wreaths, greetings and speeches.
Athens
The Australian Embassy in Athens will organise an event of remembrance to honour the ANZACs at the Phaleron Allied War Cemetery on Thursday, April 25.
Source: ABC News and LimnosReport.gr.
