Anzac Day in NSW

ANZAC Day on April 25 is a commemoration and remembrance of all Australians who have served and died in war and on operation service around the world. It marks the landing in 1915 of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli, Turkey in World War I.

ANZAC Day was first conceived to commemorate those who served in the Gallipoli Campaign in WWI. However, the date has since become a day to commemorate all Australian and New Zealand troops who have served for their country.

The ANZAC Day service

Dawn services, wreath laying, veteran marches and commemorative services are held across Sydney and NSW. The main Dawn Service will be held at 04:30am in Martin Place in Sydney at The Cenotaph, which was sculpted by Sir Bertram Mackennal and unveiled in 1929.

In regional NSW, COVID-19 safe services and marches will take place at RSL’s across the state. The services offer 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.

Two Up

Another time-honoured ANZAC Day tradition is to play the game two-up. Its association with the day originates from WWI, when Australians played two-up in the trenches and on troop ships. The game can be played at home with three or more participants.