Why Anzac Day still matters (even if you’ve never been to a dawn service)

Anzac Day means two seemingly contradicting things to Australians: it’s either a public holiday (a rare chance for a sleep in), or, for others, it’s a day of deep remembrance, gathering at the crack of dawn, rosemary and poppies pinned to jackets, to honour acts of valour and all of those who served and sacrificed their lives for our country.

Which one are you? And why does it matter so much?

With 25 April just around the corner, we spoke to Duncan Anderson, State President RSL WA about why it’s worth commemorating rather than hitting snooze. If you, or someone you know, feels a little disconnected from the meaning behind Anzac Day, this might be the gentle nudge you need.

So, why does it still matter?

There are more than 63,000 people in WA who are currently serving or have previously served in the Australian Defence Force. That means most Australians have a connection to service through family, friends, or their wider community.

So if you’re not too familiar with Anzac Day, one might say you’ve been living under a rock.

But if we rewind to where it all started, the importance becomes a little clearer.

Why we don rosemary and red poppies

In 1915, thousands of young Australians and New Zealanders landed on the shores of Gallipoli as part of an allied campaign to capture the Dardanelles and Constantinople. The goal was to open up a supply route to Russia, weaken the Ottoman Empire, and shift the course of World War I.

Instead, it claimed the lives of over 130,000 soldiers on both sides—including 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders.

The campaign tragically failed. But what emerged was something enduring: the Anzac Spirit.

“The Anzac Spirit is deeply embedded in Australian cultural heritage and our national identity,” Mr Anderson said.

“We have inherited these values of service, courage, mateship, and endurance from the ANZACs.

“Anzac Day commemorations and traditions are one of the many ways RSL WA ensures the ANZAC Spirit remains relevant understood,” he said.

The traditions: Coffee with rum and Anzac biscuits

The most iconic tradition is the Dawn Service. And there is a reason for the early morning, which is to mirror the time of the original Gallipoli landing, just before sunrise on April 25, 1915. Australians and New Zealanders gather in silence to reflect and remember those who served us. It’s a powerful one minute of silence followed by a trumpet sound called The Last Post (something you might remember reverberating through your school’s speaker as a kid).

In Perth, you can head to the Kings Park Dawn Service (5:45 AM – 7:00 AM), followed by the Gunfire Breakfast (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM) at Government House Gardens, where you’ll find coffee with a dash of rum -a nod to the traditional “gunfire” mix shared by soldiers, plus a traditional Anzac Day breakfast.

However, there are many more events throughout the day including Anzac House, The March, Mateship Lane, and the Cathedral Service; however, the commemoration doesn’t have to be formal.

“All people can observe Anzac Day through moments of quiet reflection, watching the sunset or sunrise, [or] wearing a sprig of rosemary,” Mr Anderson said.

And of course, Anzac biscuits remain a family favourite: sweet, golden and oaty, they’re baked and shared to mark the day, based on the only ingredients available to the ANZACs at the time.

When we commemorate Anzac Day, we’re not glorifying war, we’re remembering its human cost. It might mean getting up early, but you’ll be standing in solidarity. And yes, there are a few treats in it for you, too.

For more details about attending one of the many commutative events that are on in the City of Perth or WA community to show their support, you can visit the website.