Australians gather around the world to commemorate Anzac Day
Thousands gathered in Australia and around the world to commemorate Anzac Day and pay tribute to those who have served this nation in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
In towns and cities across Australia, in the fields of France, on the beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey, at Hellfire Pass in Thailand, at Sandakan in Malaysia, at Bomana in Papua New Guinea, and many other places, people gathered to remember.
In the pre-dawn light, we came together to pay our respects to the more than 102,000 Australians who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our nation, the millions who have served, and the families who supported them.
This year marked the return of international public commemorations for the first time since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions.
Anzac Day ceremonies have been held in Australia since 1916, with 25 April formally gazetted as a day of commemoration in every state and territory during the 1920s.
Anzac Day pilgrimages to places of significance to Australians who have served is also a long-held tradition, with services held at, Gallipoli in Turkey, as early as 1923.
Attendance at Anzac Day domestic and overseas commemorative services included:
- Anzac Day Service, Port Moresby (Bomana War Cemetery), Papua New Guinea: 2,000 people
- Australian War Memorial Anzac Day Dawn Service, ACT, Australia: 18,200 people
- Anzac Day Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Turkey: 563 people
- Lone Pine Service, Gallipoli, Turkey: 187 people
- Anzac Day Dawn Service, Villers-Bretonneux, France: 665 people
- Anzac Day Service, Hellfire Pass, Thailand: 450 people
- Anzac Day Service, Sandakan, Malaysia: 85 people, as the Service was not open for public attendance this year in accordance with local COVID restrictions.
For more information on the meaning of Anzac Day and its history, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs Anzac Portal.
Image: Dawn Service, Gallipoli, 25 April 2022 (Department of Defence)