ANZAC DAY 2021

Anzac Day commemorations have been an important part of Australia’s and New Zealand’s histories since parades first began in 1916. We commemorate and honour those who have served or are serving in the Australian defence forces in a number of ways. 

Queensland’s contribution to the Great War was significant: more than 57,000 Queensland men and women served between 1914 and 1918. During World War II, Australia sent just under one million men and women into battle between 1939 and 1945. This time they also experienced conflict at home in northern Australia, the Torres Strait and North Queensland. Contributions to other wars since then have sadly seen more Queenslanders also pay the ultimate sacrifice.  

This year, the pandemic continues to affect us significantly and many of the commemorative services that are traditionally held in London and across the UK and Europe will be delivered virtually or in a reduced capacity as they were in 2020.  

Representing the Queensland Government and people of Queensland, it is my great honour to lay a wreath this Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial in London and, following that, I will attend a special Anzac Day Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey to honour and pay our respects to the fallen servicemen and servicewomen of Queensland.  

Anzac Day is a time for reflection

Anzac Day is an important time of reflection and thanksgiving as we remember those servicepeople who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service and safety of our nation.   

We honour and give thanks to those servicepeople, their families and their communities who defend us not in the pursuit of conflict, but in the greater pursuit of peace and reconciliation.  

As I reflect upon the very challenging 12 months we have faced globally, I have been particularly encouraged and inspired by the concept of duty and service that embodies the important characteristics of our Australian Defence Force members. 

On the frontlines of past wars there were so many young Queenslanders and Australians who signed up for a cause they may have known quite little about. Their service not only came with great personal risk but deeply affected their families, friends, loved ones and communities.  

Unveiled by Her Majesty the Queen in 2003, the poignant and magnificent Australian War Memorial in London pays tribute to these personal and community sacrifices. The memorial commemorates the servicemen and servicewomen who served in World War I and World War II, listing the names of the towns in which they were born. These 23,844 place names etched into a granite wall record the origins of Australia’s sons and daughters. Superimposed on the town names are 47 of the many battles in which they fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Australia. 

In the words of the memorial design team, 'they are the places where families grieved and endured, where lives were resumed and carried on into the future'. 

Today, as we all fight a different global emergency, I am reminded of these important ideals of duty, cooperation and selflessness. These are still required to overcome the challenges presented by the global pandemic. Queenslanders are again rising to the international call to action – developing innovative solutions, engaging in important scientific research and working tirelessly on the frontline to fight this pandemic. 

It is clear to me that, like the Australian and New Zealand bond we recognise on this day, these important ideals remain and serve our nations well, at home and abroad. 

Please join us in commemorating Anzac Day from afar  

As we come together this Anzac Day, in person and in spirit, to commemorate the men and women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, I know many Queenslanders living in this part of the world will be looking for ways to pay their respect. I’m pleased to share some opportunities for you to participate: 

• Visit the Australian War Memorial and place a virtual poppy and leave a personalised message of remembrance online. In-person visitors to the Australian War Memorial often place a poppy on the Roll of Honour in the commemorative area, in remembrance of the 102,000 Australians who died as a result of war and operations. 
• Visit the Anzac Square Memorial Galleries online and delve deeper into Queensland’s military history, exploring online collections, written accounts and resources curated by the State Library of Queensland. 
• Experience the award-winning Anzac Stories voice activation by asking Amazon Alexa to ‘Launch Anzac Stories’ or Google Assistant to 'Talk to Anzac Stories'. You can hear a selection of oral histories from past and present serving members of the armed forces or stories retold from letters and diaries. 
• Bake Anzac biscuits (scroll to Bake) and embrace a tradition that goes back to World War I when they were baked and sent in care packages for soldiers.

As many of the veterans of the two world wars pass on, we must not forget the important Anzac story and the spirit in which we honour and continue sharing this story.  

We are grateful for their service, as well as the service of subsequent and current servicemen and servicewomen. Their service has protected the long-standing freedoms and values we unite around today. 

We will remember them. Lest we forget.