Dawn services held across nation to honour Anzacs

Thousands have gathered to commemorate the contribution of Australian defence personnel at Anzac Day dawn services across the country.

Events have been held in major cities, suburban centres and country towns honouring men and women who served in past conflicts and those serving today.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes on the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during World War I.

"Every Anzac Day, from the greatest memorial to the simplest cenotaph, we honour all who have served in our name and all who serve today," he said.

"It is a collective act of remembrance, reflection and gratitude – one carried out by multiple generations of Australians and devoted to multiple generations."

The Canberra dawn service started with the sounds of a didgeridoo played by Sub-Lieutenant Jordon Bradshaw, permeating the silence in front of the more than 30,000 attendees.

Wreaths were laid in commemoration by Governor-General David Hurley and New Zealand High Commissioner Annette King.

Ceremonial lanterns, which were placed in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Monday evening, were carried by veterans and serving members into the war memorial as the reveille was played by a lone bugler.

Mr Albanese said it was important to remember the contribution of defence personnel who did not make it home.

"As we gather here, in towns and suburbs across the country, and in former battlefields across the world, we are surrounded by their names and the places that made their final claim on them, laid out in an atlas of grief," he said.

"If we are to truly honour our veterans, we owe them something more than just gratitude. Just as they stepped for us, we must step up for them," he said.

The prime minister said it was also important to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who donned the khaki "fought harder for Australia than Australia was sometimes willing to fight for them".

Principal Air Chaplain James Cox said the Anzacs at Gallipoli had established traditions of selfless service.

"Let us therefore dedicate ourselves to taking up the burdens of the fallen and, with the same high courage and steadfastness with which they went into battle," he said.

At the Sydney dawn service, Rear Admiral Christopher Smith said it was important to acknowledge the sacrifice of servicemen and women.

"We gather today not to glorify war, but to remember ourselves, that we value who we are and the freedoms we possess," he said.

Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria James Angus highlighted the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War at Melbourne's dawn service.

"Every Anzac Day is both historic and tragic. Historic because each anniversary marks another war, another battle. Tragic because of the terrible price paid by young Australians," he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Anzac Day was one of the most meaningful dates on the national calendar.

"The values for which we stand are more enduring than any conflict, as long as we have - like our forebears - the courage and commitment to defend them always," he said.

The Anzac Day march in Canberra will mark 30 years of peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, featuring 120 veterans who served as part of Operation Solace, including the governor-general, who commanded the 1RAR battalion.

The march is expected to feature more than 1000 veterans.

This year marks 50 years since the end of Australian involvement during the Vietnam War, during which more than 500 Australians died and over 3000 were injured.

Services will also take place to mark Anzac Day in France, Papua New Guinea and Turkey.

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