Australian Defence Force commemorates Anzac Centenary

One hundred years after the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli, more than 2,200 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will commemorate Anzac Day on operations around the world.

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said the ANZACs' extraordinary determination and bravery at Gallipoli continued to inspire Australian service men and women on operations today.

“As we pause to commemorate a century of service, Australians are serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Others are supporting United Nations missions, protecting our borders or on duty in Australia,” ACM Binskin said.

“Despite the wide and varied nature of our operations, the men and women of today's ADF share the same qualities as those who served in the past - no task too big, no job too hard. We enjoy a laugh, but we get the job done, and we do it well.”

While the nation is focussed on commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, ADF personnel who are deployed this Anzac Day will mark this important milestone in Australia's history with traditional Dawn Services and ceremonies in locations across the Middle East region, in Africa and at sea.

The ADF will also support more than 1,400 public Anzac Day activities in Australia and overseas to pay their respects to more than 102,000 Australians who have died in conflicts.

“As Australian Defence Force personnel, we recognise we are both heirs and guardians of the Anzac legacy - we embrace it with great respect and dignity and aspire to uphold its ideals in honour of all those who served before us and beside us.”

Media note:
Air Chief Marshal Binskin has recorded his thoughts on Anzac Day at http://video.defence.gov.au/play/t4MTlwdDrXAiBTTsMxpVnxmvYdptpRpB#sort=date&group=Latest

Imagery, including individual location galleries, will be available throughout the day at http://www.defence.gov.au/events/anzacday/images.asp

Vision will be fed to the Parliament House Gallery throughout the day.

Further information about 2015 Anzac Day commemorations is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/AnzacDay/

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999