110 Years On: Honoring the Anzac Legacy Amid Rain and Remembrance
The 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings brought together thousands of Australians and New Zealanders, braving rain and cold, for one of the most meaningful days on the calendar—Anzac Day. The weather may have tried to interfere, but the crowds that gathered before sunrise at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and at services across both nations proved that the Anzac spirit runs deeper than any downpour.
Plenty arrived wrapped in jackets, huddling together as water pooled on the lawns. None of that mattered when the clock hit 5:30 am and the Dawn Service began. Giant screens lit up with projections of black-and-white wartime photographs, and the words of soldiers long passed echoed across the memorial as people stood, hats removed, heads bowed. These readings—letters sent home from the frontline—brought the past right into the chilly morning, making the sacrifice and mateship that define Anzac Day feel raw and real.
This year’s commemorations had special weight, marking eleven decades since the fateful Gallipoli campaign began on distant Turkish shores. That event, often seen as the birth of national identity for both countries, draws not just the older generations but families with young children, veterans both young and old, and visitors from all walks of life. Many shared stories of relatives lost or tales they've heard passed down—each name, each face a small piece of that sprawling Anzac Day story.
Global Reflections and Inclusive Ceremonies
Technology played its part as well. The Dawn Service held in Gallipoli—more than 14,000 kilometers away—was streamed live, letting every corner of Australia and New Zealand watch together. You could see people in Wellington and Sydney glued to screens, sharing a moment in real time with descendants of those who landed at Anzac Cove. Even in rain-soaked parks across New Zealand, veterans stood side by side with kids in school uniforms, the silence deep and unbroken as the Last Post sounded.
The commemorations didn’t stop at the dawn. Ceremonies honoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service members highlighted the often-overlooked stories of Indigenous Australians who served in every conflict since Gallipoli. Their voices added more layers of meaning and connection, as their service is increasingly recognized as a vital piece of the Anzac legacy.
Marches organized by the RSL ACT Branch saw long lines of veterans—some holding flags, many with medals pinned proudly—parade through rain-spattered streets. Crowds clapped and cheered under umbrellas, reminding everyone that courage, sacrifice, and resilience are qualities every generation can look up to. Police watched over the respectful crowds, but there was never a sense of tension—only unity. It was a powerful sight: through all the water and wind, nobody seemed eager to leave, choosing instead to linger and pay silent tribute.
Anzac Day 2025 proved once again that honoring our past is not about perfect weather or grand gestures, but about showing up—even when it’s uncomfortable—and standing together. The Anzac spirit, toughened by hardship, carries on rain or shine.
