ANZAC Day is a time of remembrance, showing respect for the fallen and cheering for diggers marching with their mates. This year marks the Centenary of the Gallipoli landings, and it is shaping up to be a busy time with events planned across Australia and New Zealand.
Australians have already started gathering in Turkey ahead of ANZAC Day services at Gallipoli and organisers of Canberra’s Australian War memorial commemoration have been setting up seats for the public and dignitaries for the last week.
Aside from the traditional dawn and commemoration services and march, events commemorating the 100-year anniversary include:
Canberra
The Australian War Memorial will host a program of events leading up to the exhibitions, and activities surrounding the centenary of the First World War including the Roll of Honour Soundscape featuring the voices of primary school students.
Brisbane
Camp Gallipoli is an opportunity for Queenslanders to sleep under the stars at the Brisbane Showgrounds just as the ANZAC’s did 100 years ago.
Sydney
The Kangaroo March is a nod to the 1915 recruiting drive from Wagga Wagga to Campbelltown.
Poppy Park – visitors to Judges Park in Penrith will find 102,000 poppies planted in the shape of one big poppy.
Perth
Albany is said to be the site of the first ever Anzac Day dawn service and it was the last sight of Australian land that those departing on the first Anzac convoy for WWI had. To mark 100 years since the fateful landing at Gallipoli, crowds will gather for a dawn service at Mt Clarence, at the Lighthorse Memorial statue.
Melbourne
The Follow the Flag: Australian Artists at War 1914-1945 is the National Gallery of Victoria’s offering to mark the centenary at Gallipoli Cove, featuring paintings, sculpture and vernacular art.
Adelaide
The Coromandel ANZAC Day Event sees Bec Watt and her jazz band performing war era songs. Visitors are invited to make a wreath with their families and contribute to a message board.
Northern Territory
The Darwin Chorale will give an ANZAC Day performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace as a special way to mark those who have fought for Australia in any capacity. Darwin Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm on the 25th April 2015.
New Zealand
Upcoming events include the Plimmerton ANZAC’s Exhibition, an insight into the men and women from Plimmerton who served in the Egypt/Dardanelles campaign.
The Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra and Cantando Choir present a moving program on the centenary of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli.
