Anzac Day 2025: Rain no deterrent for crowd during solemn dawn service at The Cenotaph in Sydney

Hundreds have braced the rain and lined city streets to pay respect for Australia’s fallen soldiers at a pre-dawn service.

Marking the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli during World War I, the inclement weather in Sydney did not prevent a large crowd from gathering at The Cenotaph in Martin Place to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Members of the public gathered around the memorial and its striking message - “to our glorious dead” - while dignitaries and other representatives laid traditional wreaths.

Major General Matt Burr delivered a powerful commemoration address, encouraging new Australians and first-time dawn service attendees to seek out veterans and share in their stories.

“Our women and men in uniform are just like you in many ways; from all backgrounds, from all across our communities,” he said.

“All Australians own and are part of the same legacy ... the legacy of the first Anzacs who answered that call of duty, leaving behind the comforts of home and the warmth of loved ones to serve Australia.”

Continuing tradition, NSW Premier Chris Minns recited Australian writer and World War I veteran Sydney Elliott Napier’s poem Salute.

“You who have loved will remember the glow of their glad young years, as you stand to-day to salute them in silence, with pride and with tears,” he read.

Former Air Force warrant officer and Aboriginal elder Harry Allie welcomed attendees to Gadigal country and touched on Indigenous Australians’ history within the defence force.

“As Indigenous Australians were not of European descent, they were exempt from military service during the time of World War I,” he said.

“(But) it has been estimated that up to 1000, perhaps more, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people came forward to enlist ... it is not known what motivated Indigenous Australians to enlist but loyalty and patriotism without doubt played a part.”

Mr Minns, Lieutenant-Governor Andrew Bell and Police Commissioner Karen Webb were among those in attendance.

New Zealand’s contributions to the fighting forces were also marked, including through a performance of the traditional Maori hymn Song of Sorrow.

Later on Friday, more than 8000 serving Australian Defence Force members and veterans, including some who fought in World War II, will march from Martin Place to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the route to honour those marching.

The marchers will include veterans who saw service in World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, The Gulf War, East Timor and other UN peacekeeping missions.

Veterans will return to the cenotaph for a sunset service to close the official commemorations.