29m agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 8:55pm

🎥: Canberra service opened with didgeridoo performance

In Canberra, Flight Lieutenant James Evans opened the ceremony at the Australian War Memorial with a didgeridoo performance.

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36m agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 8:48pm

More pictures from the Australian War Memorial

ABC photographer Matt Roberts attended the Dawn Service held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra today.

PM Anthony Albanese was in attendance, as was the New Zealand High Commissioner, Andrew Needs.

Anthony albanese, his wife and young navy soldier stand at the foot of some steps(ABC News: Matt Roberts)the australian war memorial before dawn, lights shine on the building(ABC News: Matt Roberts)soldiers stand guard over a wall at the australian war memorial(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

47m agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 8:37pm

Services held across Queensland

Applause broke out when veterans marched past the crowd in Bargara, outside Bundaberg, in Queensland.

a large crowd at a dawn service in bundaberg(ABC News: Grace Whiteside)

Dozens of veterans marched alongside hundreds of school students and community members along Bauer Street towards the ocean this morning.

people look out over the ocean in bundaberg(ABC News: Grace Whiteside)

The sun slowly rose above the clouds, lingering over the horizon and shining on the large crowd gathered to pay their respects to the Anzacs.

In Toowoomba, a service has been well attended by local servicemen and women, as well as a large crowd.

a crowd gathers at a dawn service in toowoomba(ABC News: Michael Beh)

57m agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 8:27pm

Dawn Services underway in Tasmania

1h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 8:23pm

Ben Roberts-Smith attends Dawn Service

Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has attended an Anzac Day Dawn Service on the Gold Coast.

The veteran and Victoria Cross recipient is awaiting trial for five counts of the war crime of murder.

Read more here: 

1h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 7:53pm

Flying officer delivers emotional address in Canberra

Flying Officer of the Royal Australian Air Force, Kbora Ali, has delivered the Dawn Service address at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

She grew up in Afghanistan and talks about the journey her family made on a small boat in the Indian Ocean to get to Australia in 2001.

a young woman stands behind a lectern to deliver an address at a dawn serviceKbora Ali speaking at the Australian War Memorial Dawn Service. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

“Twenty-four years since that tiny wooden boat that was saved by our navy, I stand here as a proud daughter, a former immigrant, a former soldier, and now I get to carry the hope and a promise to give back to the place I now call home,” she says.

“In times of global conflict and uncertainty, our guiding principle should always be as those of the Anzacs before us, to uphold the values we cherish as Australians and through our actions to always honour the sacrifice of all our personnel and their families, with an unwavering commitment to the preservation of peace. Lest we forget.”

Her address is followed by the Ode recited by the president of the ACT branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia, Peter Baldwin, and then the Last Post.

1h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 7:27pm

Where to watch the services

The ABC will have comprehensive coverage of Anzac Day services and events.

Tune in throughout the day across ABC Radio, ABC listen, ABC TV, ABC iview and online.

Here’s a handy link that will help you find where, when and how your local commemorations and marches will be broadcast:

2h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 7:18pm

Crowds gather on a mild Melbourne morning

In Melbourne, a crowd is gathering around the Eternal Flame at the Shrine of Remembrance as thousands make their way to the Dawn Service.

People are speaking in whispers, and the tone is respectful, ABC photographer Danielle Bonica observes.

About 50,000 people are expected at today’s service, which has a special focus on honouring those who have served in peacekeeping operations throughout the Middle East.

crowd of people gathered around a fire at an anzac service(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)young children watch on during an anzac service(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)an abstract photo of a solder in front of a memorial(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

2h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 7:14pm

Australian War Memorial before the service

In Canberra, the Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial is set to start at 5.30am AEST.

ABC photographer Matt Roberts took this picture of the memorial a little earlier.

A projection on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on ANZAC Day (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

2h agoFri 24 Apr 2026 at 7:04pm

What is Anzac Day?

Anzac is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

April 25, 1915 marked the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, and more than 100,000 Australians have died in war since then.

Anzac Day is a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made for our way of life and of the values that shape and unite our communities.

Dawn services, marches and other ceremonies are a way to honour those who’ve served.