ANZAC Day

On ANZAC Day, 25th April each year, we remember the brave men and women who have served our country in times of war.

To most Australians, ANZAC Day is a very special day in the year. The letters stand for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Most countries have people who work in the army, the navy or the air force - this is called the Defence Force. “Defend” means “to keep safe” and the people in the Australian Defence Force keep our country safe and protect us.


Australian soldiers are called Diggers.
Very brave people are called heroes. Simpson and his donkey are famous heroes from the First World War. Simpson put wounded soldiers on the donkey’s back and helped them to the first aid tent. Simpson called his donkey Duffy.

On ANZAC Day we show our thanks to the people who have fought for our country. It is such a special day it has been made a holiday so families can go to the march in their towns. We can wear ANZAC badges and wave Australian flags to show how proud we are.

The Ode is part of a special poem that is said during the ANZAC Day service. Here are the words:

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

On ANZAC Day flowers and wreaths of red poppies are laid at the bottom of war memorials as a way of saying we have remembered these brave people.