IN BRIEF
- Heckling disrupts Anzac Day services with one man arrested in Sydney as leaders urge respect
- Ben Roberts-Smith attends Gold Coast service while on bail over alleged war crimes
The pride of the nation was on full display, as Australians across the country rose at dawn to mark Anzac Day, commemorating the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
But as thousands gathered to pay their solemn respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, a small group of "louts" were determined to make their voices heard.
What is Anzac Day?
ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, with the day marking the landing on 25 April 1915 in Gallipoli, Türkiye, of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, along with British, French and Indian troops, during World War One.
Anzac Day serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in defence of the nation, and of the shared values that continue to unite Australians.
Dawn services, marches and commemorative events are held across the country to recognise and honour those who have served.
Hecklers urged to ‘show respect’ in Sydney
Police have confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested for "an alleged act of nuisance" during the service in Sydney, with others moved on.
The acknowledgement of Country by Pastor and Uncle Ray Minniecon was disrupted by an interjection of booing.
After the people disturbing the peace were quieted, a chorus of applause and cheering rang for an extended period to show support for Uncle Minniecon.
"We do have laws to try and deter people from this but it seems like these people still want to be lawless," Uncle Minniecon said after the ceremony.
"They just need to realise their place in this country ... and show their deepest respect."
Premier Chris Minns and his opposition counterpart Kellie Sloane were among those who paid their respects at the dawn service in Martin Place.
‘Barstardly’ behaviour condemned at Melbourne Dawn Service
Shoulder to shoulder, veterans stood among families and strangers alike in pre-dawn darkness, at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance for the traditional Anzac Day service.
Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner joined the commemorations, thanking those who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
But the solemn reflections were interrupted by heckling and booing from parts of the crowd, during a Welcome to Country by Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Uncle Mark Brown.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the disruptions, labelling the politicisation of a sacred day as ‘bastardly’.
As the Melbourne service concluded, attendees queued to lay poppies at the shrine as the morning light broke.
PM reflects on service and sacrifice in Canberra
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, along with some 35,000 people gathered.
He thanked veterans for their service, acknowledging that in the current political climate peace ‘seems elusive’.
"What their legacy proves to us is that … it is always worth fighting for," he told attendees.
The Canberra service, opened with didgeridoo performance and the traditional Maori haka was later performed in the war memorial's forecourt.
Ben Roberts-Smith attends Anzac Day service while on bail
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, now an accused war criminal, has attended an Anzac Day service in Queensland while on bail over war crime charges.
Mr Roberts-Smith denies the accusations.
He joined thousands at the Currumbin Beach service, shaking hands and posing for photos with fellow attendees after the service.
Speaking after the service, the veteran said he always intended on engaging in today's commemorations.
"Everyone should be reflecting and commemorating the service of all of those Australians that have given us the country that we live in,” he said.
‘Disgraceful’ behaviour at Perth Service
In Western Australia, large crowds gathered at At Kings Park in Perth as dawn services got underway, held several hours after the eastern states due to the time difference.
A Welcome to Country delivered by Whadjuk Noongar Elder and veteran Di Ryder was briefly interrupted by booing.
MC Stephen Barton, chief executive of the RSL WA, condemned the behaviour as “one of the most disgraceful things” he had heard, drawing strong applause from the crowd.
Communities unite across Australia at dawn
Across the rest of the country, crowds gathered standing shoulder to shoulder before dawn broke, in quiet reflection.
Tourists, locals, and ringers gathered outside the Daly Waters pub for a Dawn Service in the remote Northern Territory town, which is located about six hours south-east of Darwin.
And in the early morning in Tasmania and Brisbane CBD, crowds gathered at Hobart's Cenotaph and Anzac Square in Brisbane's CBD.
Commemorations are expected to continue throughout the country today.
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