ANZAC Day 2006

Anzac Day 2006
Ceremonies in Gallipoli, Turkey, and around the world

Australians recognise the 25th of April as an occasion to commemorate the first nationally significant military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli during WW1. Across the nation commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing.

While we have no remaining Australian veterans of the Gallipoli campaign still with us, Australians all around the world gather on this special day to remember our fallen soldiers.

About 9000 Australians died at Gallipoli, while another 18,000 were wounded.

To commemorate the 91st Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915, a number of events are taking place around the world including Turkish and Australian Commemorations at Gallipoli.

As part of the Australian Defence Force's commemorative activities, Australia's Federation Guard (AFG) will provide ceremonial guards for commemorative services on the 25th of April at key sites on the Gallipoli peninsular including ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine.

A detachment of musicians from the RAAF Central Band located in Melbourne will play at the ANZAC Cove Dawn Service and later that morning at Lone Pine, culminating in the playing of the "Last Post" at both ceremonies.

The Last Post is the trumpet or bugle call sounded at barracks and other military locations at 10.00pm each night to formally mark the end of the day's activities.

Traditionally, it is also sounded at military funerals and commemorative services to symbolically indicate that the soldiers' service to their country has also been completed.

The Australian Navy remains proud of its contribution to the ANZAC legend and this year the Chief of Navy will represent the Australian Defence Force by attending the ceremonies at Gallipoli.

His presence is in honour of the lives lost and saved during the campaign, as it was the combined allied navies which transported the ANZACs to Gallipoli, sustained them while ashore, and then took the survivors safely off at the end of the operation.

Currently, more than 1600 Australian Defence Force personnel are proudly serving their nation on exercises and operations around the world in the tradition of the ANZAC.

Australian personnel deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, East Timor and other regions will hold services and parades in commemoration of the fallen. Services and parades will, of course, be held across Australia.

As part of exercise Croix Du Sud in Noumea, Australian Defence Force personnel will join with New Zealand forces holding an ANZAC Day ceremony alongside a contingent form the French Armies New Caledonia.

Exercises like Croix Du Sud demonstrate the friendships that have endured through time and are a perfect occasion to recall the joint and combined aspects of the Gallipoli Operation.

ANZAC Day 2005
ANZAC Day 2004
ANZAC Day 2003

Media Releases

Apr 25, 2006    
LATEST ANZAC DAY IMAGES OF ADF PERSONNEL ON OPERATIONS

Apr 21, 2006    
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