ANZAC DAY 2025 – 110 years

Commemorative services on this day are held at dawn – the time of the original landing in Gallipoli.

The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916.

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the Commonwealth of countries expedition that was tasked to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. They became known as Anzacs and the way they conducted themselves is now part of the soul of our countries continues to this day.

At Gallipoli, the Anzacs and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their intention was to knock Türkiye out of the war quickly, however the campaign dragged on for eight months and became a stalemate.

At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.

Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of Australians killed in all military operations.

A typical Anzac Day Dawn Service ceremony may include:

• an introduction
• hymn
• prayer
• an address
• laying of wreaths
• a recitation
• the Last Post
• a period of silence
• the Rouse or the Reveille
• the national anthem

This year’s the dawn at Coogee Beach included the singing of “True Blue”.

The Coogee Public School Students singing “Lest We Forget”. This is a very emotional song, hard to not cry, especially as young children are singing it.

LEST WE FORGET

Although you’re getting on in years, and mem’ries seem to disappear.

Some things will never fade away. Some mem’ries will stay.

(all) There’s one day in each year, you will not forget.

If this year’s your last year, we will not forget.

CHORUS: One more parade. One less digger by your side.

One year you’re marching, the next year you ride.

Hold your head up high, hold your head up high.

Lest we forget. Lest we forget.

It seems a long, long time ago. A young man far away from home.

Friends made and lost along the way. Some mem’ries will stay.

(all) There’s one day in each year, you will not forget.

If this year’s your last year, we will not forget.

CHORUS: One more parade. One less digger by your side.

One year you’re marching, the next year you ride.

Hold your head up high, hold your head up high.

Lest we forget. Lest we forget.

BRIDGE

The sound of canon roaring by.

The smoke and fire covered sky.

The nights of terror as you pray

Some mem’ries will aways stay.

At the closing of the day. A grateful nation will rise to pray.

Some things will never fade away. Some mem’ries will stay.

(all) There’s one day in each year, you will not forget.

If this year’s your last year, we will not forget.

CHORUS: One more parade. One less digger by your side.

One year you’re marching, the next year you ride.

Hold your head up high, hold your head up high.

Lest we forget.

(spoken) Lest we forget….