Anzac Day 2025

On Anzac Day each year, Australia honours those who have served in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. This date marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915, and the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, which took place here in the Somme three years later.

The Dawn Service

The Anzac Day Dawn Service was held at the foot of the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux, in the presence of the new Australian ambassador, Her Excellency Ms Lynette Wood, Air Marshall Stephen Chappell, Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Mr Rollon Mouchel-Blaisot, Prefet of the Somme Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif, representative of the French Air Force, and of more than 2000 attendees mainly from France and Australia. Let’s take a look at the highlights of this moving service.

The public gathered in front of the memorial during the dawn service. — Australians, French and many other nations, locals as well as people from the other side of the world, all came together for this commemorative service. ©DVA

French porte-drapeaux advancing to the service area. — The service began with the arrival of the French porte-drapeaux. ©DVA

Two soldiers of the Catafalque guard in position. — In keeping with military tradition, the catafalque guard is assembled at the start of the service to keep watch over the Australian National Memorial during the service. ©DVA

The main stage of the Dawn Service, in front of the Australian National Memorial. — © Department of Defence

An Australian soldier stands at attention next to the audience during the minute's silence. — © Department of Defence

The Australian Ambassador to France and the Prefect of the Somme are presented with a wreath to lay. — Alongside the Prefect of the Somme, Rollon Michel-Blaisot, Her Excellency Lynette Wood, Australian Ambassador to France, laid a wreath on behalf of the Australian government. ©DVA

The Australian Ambassador to France and the Prefect of the Somme laying their wreaths during the service. — © Department of Defence

Three Australian soldiers salute the Australian National Memorial before the departure of the guard of the catafalque. — The service ended at 6:30 a.m., after the departure of the Guard of the catafalque. © Department of Defence

A wreath bearing the inscription “Lest we forget”. — ©DVA

The Bullecourt Digger Service

Bullecourt is located north of Villers-Bretonneux in the Pas-de-Calais. This small town was the theatre of two battles involving troops of the Australian Imperial Force in 1917. Each year in honour of the troops that fought here, the town of Bullecourt and the Australian Government pay tribute to Australia’s servicemen and women that have served since the First World War.

The porte-drapeaux procession on the way to the Digger memorial. — Following the town's service, a large procession to the Digger memorial was led by the more than 100 french porte-drapeaux present. ©DVA

An Australian Navy serviceman plays Didgeridoo in front of the memorial — The Bullecourt Digger service was introduced by a Didgeridoo performance by Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Todd McGrady. ©DVA

Children laying crosses at the foot of the memorial — The children of Bullecourt have laid crosses signed by Australian children to pay tribute to the Diggers who fell at Bullecourt in 1917. ©DVA

A view of the site of the service. — ©DVA

A view of the site of the service, facing the public and behind the memorial. — ©DVA

Children read the poem from a podium — The children of Bullecourt also read the poem ‘’In Flanders Fields‘’, wirtten by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in 1915. ©DVA

The Australian ambassador to France and the representative of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture moving towards the wreaths held by bearers — During the official delegation's wreath-laying , Her Excellency, Mrs Lynette Wood, Australian Ambassador to France, and Mr François Flahaut, Deputy Secretary General of the Pas-de-Calais Prefecture, each laid a wreath on behalf of the Australian and French governments. ©DVA

The mayors of Bullecourt and Villers-Bretonneux lay wreaths at the foot of the memorial — Eric Bianchin, Mayor of Bullecourt, and Didier Dinouard, Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux, also laid two wreaths on behalf of their towns, both of which were martyred in the war and liberated by troops of the Australian Imperial Forces. ©DVA

Australian soldiers salute the Memorial before the departure of the Guard of the catafalque — ©DVA

The porte-drapeaux and the official delegation in front of the Digger memorial at the end of the service. — ©DVA

Take a look at the photo galleries from the previous services.
2024 – 2023 – 2022

Registrations for Anzac Day 2026 are not yet open. This page will be updated when they are, so please check again later.