Thousands of Australians of all ages gathered along the Sydney Harbour foreshore on Friday night for the annual Lest We Forget Harbour sunset tribute, honouring those who lost their lives serving the nation.
Poem from World War I Provides Moving Backdrop
A poem written more than a century ago during World War I served as a poignant backdrop for the Anzac eve event. The Ode of Remembrance, the fourth stanza of the poem For the Fallen by English poet Laurence Binyon, was first published in September 1914. Recited by Anzac forces to honour wartime sacrifices, the ode has been a staple of remembrance services since 1921.
As the sun set, the memorable words 'at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them' echoed across the Sydney Opera House.
Performances and Attendees
A full orchestra and featured artists, including Patricia 'Little Pattie' Amphlett and Dami Im, performed as rowboats carrying Surf Lifesaving volunteers from various clubs dotted the harbour, and military ships sailed past. Bagpipe-playing veteran Warrant Officer Andrew Iverson also performed as part of the solemn service.
Former governor-general and defence force chief Sir Peter Cosgrove was among those in attendance.
NSW Premier Defends Additional Public Holiday
NSW Premier Chris Minns defended his decision to introduce an additional Anzac Day public holiday amid backlash from other states. NSW, the ACT, and WA will observe a substitute public holiday on Monday, while all other states and territories miss out.
'We've got 11 public holidays in NSW. The other states have 13. So we're a couple down on every other jurisdiction,' he told Sunrise on Friday. 'With Anzac Day falling on a Saturday and then a Sunday for this year and next year, we decided that we should have another public holiday.'
