23 April 2025

Lest We Forget: how to pause and reflect this Anzac Day

This Friday 25 April marks Anzac Day — a significant moment in our national calendar to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country.

The day commemorates the anniversary of the first major military action involving the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I. On 25 April 1915, ANZAC troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli in an attempt to capture the peninsula. The campaign endured for eight months and claimed the lives of more than 8000 Australian soldiers.

Since then, Anzac Day has become a time to pause and honour the service and sacrifice of all those who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations – past and present.

Ways to commemorate Anzac Day

There are many meaningful ways you can observe the day, whether you’re attending a service or taking a quiet moment of reflection.

Attend a Dawn Service

Dawn marks the time of the Gallipoli landing, and thousands across the country gather in remembrance.

• Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance will host its Dawn Service at 5.30am – no tickets or bookings are needed.

• If you’re not in Melbourne, you can attend an RSL service in your local community.

• A National Ceremony is held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and broadcast live across Australia on ABC TV and iView.

• Prefer to reflect from home? You can ‘Light up the dawn’ by holding a candle at 6am in your driveway, balcony or lounge room.

Later in the day, veteran marches take place in cities and towns across the country – a proud tradition to witness if you’re nearby.

Other ways to honour the day

If you’re unable to attend a service, there are still powerful and personal ways to pay tribute and reflect on the spirit of Anzac Day:

• Donate to support veterans. Every donation helps provide practical support and services to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force and their families. The RSL Anzac Appeal raises vital funds through the sale of commemorative items like badges and pens — you’ll often spot volunteers outside shopping centres and train stations in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

• Wear a sprig of rosemary. Rosemary has long been associated with memory and remembrance. It grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula, where the ANZACs landed in 1915, and wearing it on Anzac Day serves as a living symbol to honour those who served and died. Pin it to your lapel or place it somewhere special at home.

• Bake or enjoy Anzac biscuits. Anzac biscuits were sent by loved ones to soldiers during World War I. Their ingredients — rolled oats, coconut, golden syrup and no eggs — meant they could survive long journeys without spoiling. Today, baking or sharing Anzac biscuits is a simple but heartfelt way to connect with the history and homefront efforts of the time.

Remember: Deakin is closed on Anzac Day

Deakin will be closed on Friday 25 April for the Anzac Day public holiday, except for the GIFT City campus, which will remain open.

Library opening hours on Anzac Day:

The University will reopen as normal on Monday 28 April.