Tens of thousands of Australians have packed central squares in some of the country’s biggest cities to pay tribute to fallen soldiers as the sun rose on Anzac Day.
The first of a series of solemn services began at 4.20am at The Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place, followed minutes later by the Brisbane ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance in Anzac Square.
Rear Admiral Christopher Smith spoke at the Sydney service about the service of Navy personnel during the Gallipoli campaign.
“The mere presence of the whole range of naval support vessels was of immense reassurance, not only because they kept the troops going, but also because control of the sea meant that no matter how bad things got ashore, the Anzacs could never be cut off,” he said.
“Indeed, the final evacuation by naval forces is often described as the most successful aspect of the entire operation.”
Smith addressed the veterans of younger conflicts in the crowd.
“Those of us who wear the uniform today have inherited the legacy of those who have served during conflict,” he said.
“Their example offers both inspiration and sets the required standard for us – their spirit, values and qualities of self-sacrifice, courage and a fair go for all.”
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Further moving tributes were set to follow in Canberra and Melbourne at 5.30am before similar moving moments in the other state capitals.
“We gather today not to glorify war, but to remember ourselves that we value who we are and the freedoms we possess and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed to shaping the identity of our nation and those that continue to serve,” Smith said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was expected to join the tributes with a speech at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra at 5.40am.
Thousands of kilometres away in Gallipoli, Turkish locals and Australians will gather later in the day to mark the anniversary in the location where so many Allied soldiers died.
Anzac Day began as a memorial to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fell when they were met with fierce resistance while trying to take the Gallipoli peninsula in World War I, turning a hoped-for quick strike into an eight-month battle that claimed more than 8000 Australian lives.
Today, the anniversary of the landing is also a chance to commemorate all other Australians who died in that horrible war and the others that followed.
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