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Dawn Services Have Been Held Around The Country To Commemorate ANZAC Day

'Lest We Forget.'
Cronulla Anzac Day dawn service in Monro Park
John Veage
Cronulla Anzac Day dawn service in Monro Park

Dawn services were held across the country to commemorate 102nd anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.

The ABC reports that early assessments of the ANZAC dawn services suggest crowds are down this year, notably in Sydney's Martin Place. Smaller crowds come as security measures across Australia have been increased in the face of a Federal Government warning of an attack.

In Canberra however, numbers were strong. Dr Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial, said on-going dawn service attendance proves how important ANZAC is in the lives of modern Australians.

"The attendance at this year's Dawn Service shows the enduring connection so many people have to Anzac Day and what it represents for our servicemen and servicewomen – and indeed for all Australians," Dr Nelson said in a statement.

The Australian War Memorial commemorated the ANZACs with anecdotal readings of letters and diaries of Australian diggers and others who experienced the war first hand. Over 38 000 people were present at the Canberra dawn service. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce will attend the 10.30 am National Service.

Sydney's largest dawn service began at 4.15am in Martin Place. A sunset service will also be held at The Cenotaph commencing at 5pm.

Other dawn services were held at North Bondi RSL and further west at Parramatta RSL where a small march commenced at 4am before a wreath laying at Prince Alfred Square at 4.30am.

Over 20 000 marchers are expected at the ANZAC Day march that will begin at 9am in Sydney's CBD. This year the march will head down Elizabeth Street and on to Liverpool Street.

Melbourne's Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance started at 6am, where service-goers attended despite the early morning rain.

The service will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at 8.15am and the annual march which will begin at 9am.

Other notable Victorian dawn services were held at Ballarat and Geelong, both of which got underway before 6am.

Victorian police services will be on high alert for attendee misconduct after a North Melbourne war memorial was vandalised yesterday. The graffiti, written in red spray paint read "war is murder."

The Currumbin Beach Dawn Service was held at the Gold Coast, where mounted soldiers and a fly pass were included in the commemorations. The ABC reports that 15 000 people turned out for the Townsville service, as the North Queensland town is home to an army base. Brisbane's dawn service was at the Shrine of Remembrance at Anzac Square at 4.28am.

A traditional service was held in Darwin Cenotaph, while similar proceedings occurred in the country's centre at Alice Springs.

Hundreds are gathering at Anzac Hill in Alice Springs to commemorate soldiers past and present #AnzacDay#NT#DawnServicepic.twitter.com/wjTGqIC8wx

— Nick Hose (@NickHose) April 24, 2017

Regardless of the poor weather conditions,Adelaide's dawn service wasn't damped as it commenced at the National War Memorial at 6am. The march will begin from the North Terrace at 9.30am.

In Tasmania, Hobart's dawn service began at 6am and will be followed by a march through the central streets of the city at 11am.

In the country's west, over 50 000 are expected to attend the dawn service at Kings Park, Perth which started at 5.50am local time.

The First World War was the very first international conflict Australia had been involved in since its federation in 1901. As a young nation, its involvement at Gallipoli, and then at the Western Front proved loyalty to 'King and Country' where it supported England as its debut on the global stage.

Today ANZAC Day remembers all veterans past and present who have fought for Australia.

The values at the core of this spirit, mateship, courage, discipline, endurance and initiative are celebrated each year in combination with the immeasurable sacrifices Australians have made and continue to make.

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