Marking the Centenary, Anzac Day Dawn Service

Thousands of people attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service each year on 25 April. The centenary of the landings at Gallipoli was commemorated during Anzac Day 2015. The 2014–2018 period saw the largest Anzac Day commemorative services held at the Shrine marking the centenary of the First World War.

The Dawn Service is a major part of the tradition of ANZAC Day and harks back to the military practice of 'standing to' at dawn. Each dawn and dusk, the most favourable times for attack, soldiers were called to 'stand to' and manned their posts in full kit, ready to repulse enemy attacks or launch their own.

Dawn Services are held across Australia, including Victoria's State service held at the Shrine, at 6am each April 25 and are followed by the ANZAC Day March in many cities and towns. The March, led by veterans and serving personnel, now also includes the descendants of veterans, sometimes alongside their relatives but more often, as the men of the Second World War in particular pass on, in honour of those who served.