ANZAC Day 2005

Anzac Day 2005
Ceremonies in Gallipoli, Turkey, and around the world

Anzac Day - 25 April - is one of Australia's most important annual national occasions. 25 April 2005 was the 90th anniversary of the first nationally significant military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WW1, when Australia and New Zealand were young countries only recently independent.

The term Anzac derives from the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which first fought together in the Gallipoli landings of the WW1 Dardanelles Campaign. The soldiers in those forces became known as "Anzacs" and the pride they took in that name endures to this day as a reminder of their courage, integrity and teamwork.

To commemorate the 90th anniversary in 2005, Australia participated in a number of events on the Gallipoli peninsula within the framework of Turkish Government-hosted international commemorations in Turkey. These events included the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS ANZAC and a series of ceremonial parades provided by members of Australia's Federation Guard and the Australian Army Band Corps - Composite Band.

This year the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) led ceremonies at the historic Anzac Cove landing point on Gallipoli. The NZDF Honour Guard, Band, Catafalque Guard and Maori Culture Group paraded alongside Australian personnel at ceremonies on the 24th as well as Anzac Day.

On the 24th, ADF and NZDF guard marched with Turkish personnel at the Turkish Memorial, French personnel at the French Cemetery, and British personnel at Helles Memorial.

On Anzac Day, ADF and NZDF personnel provided catafalque guard during the dawn service at Anzac Cove and paraded together during the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair. The service at Lone Pine Memorial was performed exclusively by Australian personnel.

As part of this very special occasion, the aptly named frigate HMAS ANZAC set sail from Albany on March 11 to retrace the route of the first Anzac troop convoy to Gallipoli. HMAS ANZAC completed the historic journey and dropped anchor off Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, on 25 April.

As the first Anzac force in and the last out of Gallipoli 90 years ago, today's Royal Australian Navy remains proud of its contribution to the Anzac legend. The presence this year of HMAS ANZAC provided a fitting background to national commemorations, and served as an appropriate tribute to the professionalism and flexibility of all ADF members.

Continuing the Anzac tribute, Australia's Federation Guard provided ceremonial guards at key sites including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Memorial and Chunuk Bair. They also provided commemorative ceremonial support at Canakkale and Cape Helles on Anzac Day eve. Australia's Federation Guard was supported by the Australian Army Band Corps - Composite Band, which is a concentration of selected musicians from across the Australian Army.

Anzac Day began with combined AFG and New Zealand catafalque parties participating in the traditional dawn service at Anzac Cove. At Lone Pine Memorial, after the dawn service, a unique abridged version of the Beating Retreat ceremony was performed by Australia’s Federation Guard and the Composite Band. Beating Retreat is a military custom dating back to the 16th century which included drum beating to signal the cessation of fighting at sunset.

Thirty-two of Australia's Federation Guard soldiers, sailors, airmen and women formed ceremonial guard at the Memorial as Australia’s and New Zealand’s national flags were lowered and the Last Post played.

Media Releases

Apr 28, 2005    
Defence Minister honours fallen Australian Soldiers at EL ALAMEIN

Apr 22, 2005    
90th Anniversary of ANZAC Spirit Honoured by Future Leaders of the ADF

Apr 19, 2005    
Interview requests for ANZAC Day