It’s a time-honoured tradition since the very first dawn service, believed to have been held in 1923, when a group of returned servicemen gathered at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney to commemorate their fallen comrades.

The day is also marked by marches through our city centres and regional towns and while the number of living veterans has dwindled, the force of their spirit and legacy lives on through their children and grandchildren.

ANZAC Day is a reminder of past and present wars, of suffering and courage, and stirs emotions of sorrow and pride. It is also a timely moment to think about those enduring hardship in the Middle East and around the world.

I encourage everyone to keep our cultural traditions of mateship, courage and sacrifice alive, and to attend a local dawn service or march to pay your respects.

To find an Anzac Day event near you, visit www.rslnsw.org.au

Lest we forget.

Regards,

CLR Bilal El-Hayek

MAYOR