On Friday, April 25, 2025, Australians across the nation and around the world will pause to commemorate ANZAC Day. This date holds profound significance in the Australian calendar, marking a solemn day of national remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. In 2025, the commemoration carries particular weight as it marks the 110th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign that played a crucial role in shaping Australia’s national identity.

The Origins: Forging the ANZAC Spirit

ANZAC Day traces its origins back to the harsh realities of World War I. On the morning of April 25, 1915, thousands of volunteer soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed under fire on the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula in Türkiye (formerly the Ottoman Empire). This amphibious landing, part of a wider Allied strategy aimed at capturing the Dardanelles strait and ultimately Constantinople, was met with fierce resistance.  

The Gallipoli campaign, initially envisioned as a swift operation, devolved into eight long months of brutal trench warfare, stalemate, and immense hardship. Despite the campaign’s ultimate military failure and the eventual evacuation of Allied forces, the experiences on Gallipoli forged what became known as the ANZAC spirit – qualities of courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship in the face of extreme adversity. The cost was devastating; more than 8,700 Australian soldiers lost their lives during the campaign, alongside thousands more wounded.  

A Day of National Remembrance: Evolving Significance

While born from the events of Gallipoli, the meaning of ANZAC Day quickly grew. As early as 1916, services and marches were held in Australia and overseas to honour those who served. Over the decades, particularly following World War II and subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations, ANZAC Day evolved into a day to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served in uniform.  

Today, ANZAC Day is a time to honour the more than 1.5 million service personnel who have represented Australia in all conflicts, wars, and peacekeeping efforts. It is a day to solemnly remember the over 103,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country and to acknowledge the ongoing impact on veterans and their families.

Commemorating Across Australia: Traditions of Remembrance

ANZAC Day is observed through a series of poignant traditions across the country:

• The Dawn Service: Held at pre-dawn hours (typically starting between 4:30 am and 5:30 am), mirroring the time of the Gallipoli landings and evoking the military ‘stand-to’ routine. These solemn ceremonies, often held at war memorials and cenotaphs, include wreath-laying, recitations like the Ode of Remembrance, the playing of the Last Post, a period of silence, and the Reveille. Major services occur at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra (broadcast nationally), state memorials like Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and Sydney’s Cenotaph, and countless local RSLs and memorials.  
• ANZAC Day Marches: Later in the morning, cities and towns host marches featuring veterans from various conflicts, current Australian Defence Force personnel, descendants wearing relatives’ medals, and community groups. These parades are a powerful public display of respect and support for those who have served.  
• Commemorative Services: Often following the marches, formal commemorative services provide another opportunity for reflection and remembrance.  
• Symbols of Remembrance: The red poppy (Flanders Poppy) is widely worn, symbolising remembrance of bloodshed on battlefields. Sprigs of rosemary are also worn for remembrance, as the plant grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. Veterans and family members may wear service medals according to established protocols (guidance available from the RSL).  
• Gunfire Breakfast: Following the Dawn Service, many RSL sub-branches and community groups host a ‘gunfire breakfast’. Traditionally a shot of rum added to coffee or tea served to soldiers before morning parade, it’s now often a more substantial breakfast shared in camaraderie.  
• Two-Up: This traditional Australian gambling game, involving tossing two coins, was popular among soldiers during World War I. It is legal to play only on ANZAC Day in many venues like pubs and RSL clubs, serving as a link to the soldiers’ pastimes.  

ANZAC Day 2025: Participation and Reflection

This Friday, April 25th, 2025, is ANZAC Day – a significant public holiday across Western Australia dedicated to remembrance.

Many Perth residents will attend the poignant Dawn Service at the State War Memorial in Kings Park, while numerous other services and marches will take place in local suburbs and regional towns throughout WA.

For details on event times and locations near you, please check the RSLWA website or your local council’s updates.

On the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, it’s a vital day for reflection on the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served. Here at Holdsworth Real Estate, we join our community in honouring this important national day of commemoration. Our office will be closed as a mark of respect.

Lest We Forget.