For many officers and sailors on HMAS Toowoomba, Anzac Day isn't just a day of remembrance, it's the touchstone of who they are.
Like Chief Petty Officer Daniel Wales, whose family has answered Australia's call for more than a century. He's a fifth-generation member of the Australian Defence Force, tracing his family's service back through every conflict to The Great War.
"There was no pressure for me to join, but when I was very young, I would stay overnight at my grandparents', see their medals on display and always ask questions. So, I guess the interest was always there," Chief Petty Officer Wales said.
His one break from family tradition: changing 'green for grey'.
After 100 years of Wales men and women, including both parents, serving in the Australian Army, Chief Petty Officer Wales felt the call of the ocean. Yet despite the sea change, he has always modelled himself on his grandfather, who served in Vietnam.
"My grandfather served 22 years, and was a warrant officer. I've always tried to do what he did. I've done 19 years, so I'm getting close, and now I am only one rank away. I know he's proud of how far I've come and he was my hero as a kid," Chief Petty Officer Wales said.
You could argue that Sub-Lieutenant Ella Arscott wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Navy. Her mother and father met while they were both on deployment in the Middle East, and are thrilled their daughter has followed in their footsteps.
"They're both really proud. They both really enjoyed their time in service so they are so happy I am getting that opportunity as well," Sub-Lieutenant Arscott said.
On her first operational deployment as part of Toowoomba's 2026 regional presence deployment throughout East and South-East Asia, Sub-Lieutenant Arscott is already counting the days to when she can see her parents again.
"I take a lot of pride in it. It's a full circle moment, seeing my parents on Anzac Day, now I am [doing] it myself. We will have a lot more stories to exchange. We've always talked warmly about their memories from their deployments, so it will be nice to finally add a few of my own stories in the mix," Sub-Lieutenant Arscott said.
'My grandfather served 22 years, and was a warrant officer. I've always tried to do what he did. I've done 19 years, so I'm getting close, and now I am only one rank away.'
With the Royal Australian Navy's continual presence in the Indo-Pacific region for decades, Able Seaman Ellie Dew is also quite literally following in her father's footsteps.
"He's been to a lot of places we've been to on this deployment. I sent him a photo of a mountain the other day and he said he'd done the same hike 30 years ago. It was really cool to connect over that," Able Seaman Dew said.
She declared the greatest thing for her about joining the Navy was getting closer to her dad.
"On Anzac Day, I have always felt really proud of him, and I used to love talking about it to all my friends. Now it's nice we are all able to connect through our job," Able Seaman Dew said.
With Toowoomba continuing on her deployment, she'll be on patrol in the South China Sea on April 25. While the crew will take time at dawn to honour the legacy of the men and women who served Australia before them, Chief Petty Officer Wales has one small request, for those commemorating Anzac Day at home.
"While it's so important to honour the sacrifices past generations have made, I would like to ask everyone to please remember the very young [sailors] out here doing the job at the moment," Chief Petty Officer Wales said.
"There are people on this ship as young as 18 and 19 who are out here doing their bit and I'd like to see them receive respect and recognition for their service."
