A day of reflection and remembrance with crowds gathering at services across the country to recognise veterans and serving members of the nation's armed forces. It's been 109 years since the Anzacs first landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula for their ill-fated mission. Today, the original Anzacs were honoured, as were the casualties and survivors from wars and peace-keeping missions around the world in the decades since.
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00:00Dawn at the Shrine. A 90-year Melbourne tradition of remembrance, grief and gratitude for the
00:15sacrifice of those lost in conflict.
00:22I've had a few mates that have made the ultimate sacrifice and I've just come here to remember
00:34them.
00:35It was a scene repeated across the state as the sun rose at Eastern Beach in Geelong and
00:41Melbourne to a damp Ballarat in central Victoria.
00:44We've seen the largest crowd that we've ever had in Ballarat.
00:52And after the quiet reverence of the dawn service came the proud march through city
00:59streets.
01:00I've actually had my brother fly over from America to march with him today for the first
01:08time at 86 and my son's there and we've got four generations here.
01:13The theme of this year's commemorations was peacekeeping, remembering the role of Australian
01:18forces in regional conflicts.
01:21Thousands of serving and returned service women and men have marched today to remember
01:26those who've died and to remember the terrible impact of war.
01:30I march for the people I served with and the people who didn't come home and I march for
01:35myself.
01:36It gives us a chance to commemorate those who are no longer with us.
01:40Today I'm just here to say thank you for the fallen and for people who made this country
01:47possible.
01:48My husband served in Vietnam, he's actually, he's not marching today, he's in a wheelchair,
01:54sorry, due to illness.
01:58Crowd numbers were similar to last year's commemorations, with strong turnouts in regional
02:03areas.
02:04Some are unhappy with the way things have changed over the years.
02:08Well here's a pilgrimage to remember the men who've died.
02:12It's turning into a carnival and I don't agree with it.
02:17But the meaning of ANZAC wasn't lost on the youngest attendees today.
02:22Honour all the people who fought in the war in past and present.
02:26They deserve it because they served and I think it's very important.
02:34Anzac Day.