ANZAC Day in Sydney

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Initially, ANZAC Day was a day to remember those who served in WWI. However, the date has now become a day to remember all Australians and New Zealanders who have served in conflicts across the globe. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Dawn services, wreath-laying, veteran marches and commemorative services are held across Sydney and NSW. The main Dawn Service is held at 4:30am in Martin Place at The Cenotaph, which was sculpted by Sir Bertram Mackennal and unveiled in 1929.

Anzac Day, Dawn Service - Credit: NSW Government

The dawn service offers quiet contemplation, accompanied by the bugle call of the Last Post and The Ode of Remembrance, an excerpt from English poet Laurence Binyon's moving poem, For the Fallen, which was first published in The Times in 1914. The Ode is from the fourth stanza:

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 shall remember them.

General public viewing areas will remain open until capacity is reached, and bag checks will be required upon entry to the site. Tickets are not required to attend the general public areas this year. 

You can also watch the broadcast from home on ABC TV and ABC iview. 

ANZAC Memorial - Credit: Peter Bennetts/ANZAC Memorial

ANZAC Day March

Sydney's ANZAC Day March begins at 9am at the intersection of Martin Place and Elizabeth Street, finishing at the end of Hyde Park at Liverpool Street at approximately 12.30pm. Participating in the March will be WWII veterans followed by Navy/Army/Air Force, civilians in support of Australian Troops, descendants of Australian veterans, Commonwealth and allies. The march will be broadcast on ABC TV.

ANZAC wreath, The Rocks

Two Up

Another time-honoured ANZAC Day tradition is two-up games. Its association with the day originates from WWI, when Australians played two-up in the trenches and on troopships. The game involves three or more players, with a designated "spinner" throwing two coins or pennies into the air and players guessing which side the coins will fall.