National ANZAC Day Ceremony

25 April 2008

ADFA Navy Midshipmen and Army and Air Force Officer Cadets commemorated this year’s ANZAC Day by participating in a range of activities throughout the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and New South Wales (NSW).

100 ADFA Midshipmen, Officer Cadets and staff formed the tri‑Service Guard of Honour for the National ANZAC Day Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. ADFA Midshipmen and Officer Cadets also formed the Catafalque Party around the memorial, standing motionless with heads bowed during the ceremony.

The ADFA Band joined returned and ex service personnel as they marched down Anzac Parade during the ANZAC Day Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. ADFA Midshipmen and Officer Cadets also provided the Ensign Party at the National ANZAC Day Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral.

To celebrate the ANZAC spirit, ADFA Midshipmen, Officer Cadets and military and university staff gathered for a Dawn Service at the Academy, after partaking in a “gunfire” breakfast consisting of a tot of rum and ANZAC biscuits. The Dawn Service was followed by a traditional ANZAC Day Breakfast in the Academy Cadet's Mess. 

ADFA Midshipmen, Officer Cadets and military staff also travelled to the towns of Bombala, Bungendore, Captains Flat, Merimbula and Pambula, Narrandera, Narooma, and Manuka, to participate in their Dawn Services and Marches.  They displayed their high-level drill and ceremonial skills, fulfilling a range of roles, such as providing Catafalque Parties for memorial services or acting as flag bearers.Catafalque Guards of Honour and Ensign partys. 

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first nationally significant military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1, the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.

A history of ANZAC Day can be found here

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 will remember them.

National ANZAC Day Ceremony
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