I am excited to attend this event because for the past years K’s has been attending it and it makes me curious also because it is being advertised on newspaper for everyone who wants to attend especially Australian and New Zealand nationalities, since K is an Aussie and I would like to see it in person although before he has been telling me what’s going on during that day but for me to be there is different but prior to the date he registered our name at the embassy with our passport, together with other friends! So, last Sunday, 25th of April, K and I finally attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Order of Ceremony started at 5:45 a.m. but as early as 4:30 we are inside the Australian Embassy already and having coffee…nice to be early because we was able to meet people.

Anyway, Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Coo Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.

Dawn Service: After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920s.
The first official dawn service was held at the Sydney Cenotaph in 1927. Dawn services were originally very simple and followed the operational ritual; in many cases they were restricted to veterans only. The daytime ceremony was for families and other well-wishers and the dawn service was for returned soldiers to remember and reflect among the comrades with whom they shared a special bond.

Before dawn the gathered veterans would be ordered to “stand-to” and two minutes of silence would follow. At the start of this time a lone bugler would play “The Last Post” and then concluded the service with “Reveille”. In more recent times the families and young people have been encouraged to take part in dawn services, and services in Australian capital cities have seen some of the largest turnouts ever. Reflecting this change, the ceremonies have become more elaborate, incorporating hymns, readings, pipers and rifle volleys. Others, though, have retained the simple format of the dawn stand-to, familiar to so many soldiers.

Typical modern dawn services follow a pattern that is now familiar to generations of Australians, containing the following features: introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, recitation, the playing of “The Last Post”, a minute of silence, “Reveille”, and the playing of both New Zealand and Australian national anthems. At the Australian War Memorial, following events such as the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, families often place artificial red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour. In Australia, sprigs of rosemary are often worn on lapels and in New Zealand poppies have taken on this role.

The program was just short and simple, it was Welcome by WO1 Steve Bourke followed by singing a hymn—”Abide With Me” then HE Margaret Adamson delivered the ANZAC Dedication then singing another hymn—”O God, Our Help in Ages Past”. Laying of wreaths takes place wherein representatives from Australia and New Zealand place wreaths on the memorial, symbolizing the unity of Anzac then singing another hymn titled “O Valiant Hearts”. COL Lewis Coyle did the “Ode of Remembrance” saying: “They shall grow not old, as we that left grown old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” then everyone repeated the last line, “We will remember them” after everyone will say, “LEST WE FORGET“. The Last Post wherein those in uniform salute and other guests placed their right hand over their heart in a gesture of respect followed by a one-minute silence. The Rouse where both countries national flag were raised to the masthead. Ms. Tiffany Coyle delivered a message “We Shall Keep the Faith” then Mr. Bryan Haseltine said the “The Lord’s Prayer” followed by singing of the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems, God Defend New Zealand and Advance Australia Fair. At the conclusion of the Dawn Service, participants like us remain in the Embassy grounds for a Gunfire Breakfast.

The experience was great, plus meeting good people is also fun. I should say that the Australian Ambassador was so accommodating, I don’t knew her personally but as I observed around she’s a woman of character and a wonderful person, she even go around during the breakfast at her garden, she is like a butterfly then, she even come to us and shake our hands! The food, OMG, hahaha, its a lot, it was catered by Dan Meats while drinks are by Yejj, if i am not mistaken; there are different sausages, beef patties, bacons, breads, etc. while over-flowing coffee, juice, drinks and water! Oh, I enjoyed it, I will definitely go with K again next year.

After the embassy event was a blast, went to Pickled Parrot for drinks then to Aussie XL Restaurant for more drinks, to Gasolina for another Anzac gatherings then back to Aussie XL for dinner, yay, got home super late—around 10pm and I started my day at 3am, I woke-up ahead of K to get ready and prepared Isabelle’s food and things! *smile*