The special way Australians are remembering Anzacs this year

Dawn services and Anzac memorials have kicked off around the nation, with thousands of Australians paying their respects to those who served and died in wars and conflicts throughout history.

People have lined the streets of major cities, towns and suburbs all across Australia to catch a glimpse of service men and women marching, or to simply be there for dawn services. In Canberra at the National War Memorial, a moving dawn service began with letters read out by service men and women. First-hand diary entries from those who fought in the war were also read at the service. Tens of thousands of people are believed to have attended the official event in Canberra, while the march will kick off later today.

In Brisbane, it was a similar scene, with almost double the expected onlookers showing up at the service in the suburb of Gaythorne. While it’s always important to remember the past, the service focused on the next generation, with scouts, soccer clubs and other children marching along soldiers. Despite rain, 20,000 also showed up for the CBD’s dawn service.

Aussies from all corners of the nation have gathered for #ANZACDay commemorations. pic.twitter.com/H68TUUThvF

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) April 24, 2018

Sydney’s Martin Place faced tighter security checks this year, with more police keeping an eye on the crowd. The service has been held in Sydney’s CBD for close to 90 years, with New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian attending this year’s service. It is believed 16,000 people will take part in Sydney’s march, which, for the first time, will be fronted by women.

The Shrine of Remembrance hosted 30,000 Melbourne locals who braved a chilly morning to pay their respects. This year, more contemporary soldiers will lead Melbourne’s march, while 90,000 are expected at the MCG for this afternoon’s ALF match.

It’s not just the major cities getting involved. In the New South Wales country town of Tamworth, an array of stunning wreaths have appeared in the town centre.

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It’s been a similar scene in Victorian suburb of Box Hill, where many flower arrangements and wreaths continue to flood the entrance of the famous RSL. It comes just a day after vandals destroyed a memorial in the Melbourne suburb.

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Starts at 60’s community is also getting involved. For members of our Crafters Club, it’s a great time of year to remember those we’ve lost at war with art.

Member Susan Collins shared an incredible pencil drawing her uncle was presented with. The picture includes a drawing of Susan’s uncle’s dad, who was shot in the head during the war.

Alethea Gilmore shared some knitted poppies she made for the Centenary of Gallipoli. She explained she makes the poppies for her family and friends.

For Narelle Hulme, she paints rocks with various Anzac Day themes.

“These are some rocks I painted last year,” she said. “Some were hidden in the park for the kids to find, some to friends and one to an old digger in a nursing home where it nestled in the brim of his old slouch hat on his bedside table. That old soldier has since passed on, and as was his wish, his family placed both the hat and the rock atop his coffin.”

For Christine Przybolo, she had a cross stitch piece hanging proudly in her living room. It features a solider and the ode.

How will you be spending your Anzac Day?