Australians and New Zealanders alike marked 111 years since the Gallipoli campaign across a host of memorial services and commemorative experiences.
From a memorial flight telling the stories of military personnel to dawn services held at sea, those who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations were honoured across the globe.
Dawn services at sea
Guests on Carnival Cruise Line’s Australian fleet were given the opportunity to pause and reflect as they honoured Anzac Day with dawn services held at sea.
Crew and guests aboard Carnival Splendor, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter participated in the commemorations during voyages departing Sydney and Brisbane.
Each service featured a traditional ceremony, the reading of The Ode, a wreath-laying tribute and the sharing of ANZAC biscuits.
A flight to remember
Air New Zealand carried stories of military service across the Tasman on an Anzac Day dawn flight from Auckland to Sydney. In partnership with Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, each seat on flight NZ101 honoured a New Zealand serviceperson.
Before departure, Petty Officer Musician Colin Clark of the Royal New Zealand Navy band performed a rendition of the Last Post at the boarding gate.
Customers received a commemorative edition of Kia Ora magazine, each sharing the story of personnel from the New Zealand Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Navy, as well as New Zealanders who served with Australian Forces and other allied nations.
Air New Zealand chief sustainability & corporate affairs officer, Kiri Hannifin said that the flight gave those travelling to Sydney from Auckland a chance to reflect on Anzac service history.
“Today’s flight is very special. These are important stories we’re carrying that have helped shape our country and our history… Many of us have relatives who have served, and to partner with the Auckland War Memorial Museum to bring these stories to the skies on a day of national remembrance was very special.
“We hope that through this flight, veterans and their families feel their histories are valued, and that passengers took a moment to reflect on the individual stories shared on board,” he said.
Battlefield tours
On land, travellers followed in the footsteps of military personnel on Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours’ special Anzac Day tours.
Held yesterday, the tours allowed travellers to pay their respects in Gallipoli, the Western front and Thailand.
Each itinerary followed key sites, battlefields and memorials including ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine in Turkey, the Somme and Ypres Salient in France and Belgium and Hellfire Pass in Thailand.
Next year, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours will partner with AmaWaterways on an inaugural Anzac Day 2027 voyage through Holland and Belgium as part of the company’s new History Cruises.
