Today on Anzac Day, communities across NSW are coming together to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.
The NSW Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place commenced this morning at 4:30am, the approximate time it is believed the first Anzacs waded ashore at Gallipoli.
The Service was attended by representatives of the Commonwealth and NSW Government, Ex-Service Organisations, veterans' groups and over 5000 spectators.
NSW Premier Chris Minns recited the poem Salute by Elliott Napier and laid a wreath to acknowledge the service of our veterans and servicemen and servicewomen from NSW.
Minister for Veterans David Harris participated in a special Anzac Day service atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge shortly after sunrise.
The service, organised by RSL Lifecare Veterans Services in partnership with BridgeClimb, was attended by a number of veterans and members of the community.
The Anzac Day March commences at 9am on Elizabeth Street with over 8000 current serving members and veterans expected to march past the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park and concludes at Liverpool Street.
Marching in Sydney again this year are a number of veterans from the Second World War who will be honoured by thousands of spectators along Elizabeth Street. The March will culminate with the Commemoration Service at the Anzac Memorial commencing at 12:30pm.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel will be recognised at the Coloured Digger March this afternoon in Redfern.
Now in its 18th year, the event will begin at 1pm at the Redfern Community Centre.
Official events in the Sydney CBD will come to a close with the solemn sunset service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place from 5pm.
With thousands of people expected to attend commemorations in the CBD, it is recommended to use public transport for all Anzac Day travel.
Additionally, there will be a highly visible police presence throughout the city and the community is asked to honour our veterans in a safe and respectful manner.
Free travel is available for current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families on Anzac Day, with additional early morning services running into the city.
The Community War Memorials Fund, managed by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, also opens today. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW.
For more information on how to apply please visit the Veterans Affairs website.
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
"Anzac Day is a time to come together and pay tribute to the Anzacs who served in World War One, and all the brave servicemen and servicewomen who have since followed in their footsteps.
"Anzac Day gives the community an opportunity to pay their respects to those who have served our country.
"I attended an Anzac Day Service on the Harbour Bridge this morning for the first time and it was a special location to pause and remember all who have served our nation, allowing us the freedoms we afford today.
"If you cannot make it into the Sydney CBD, you can watch the march on ABC TV or attend one of the many local services and events in your community.
"I encourage all of NSW to attend a commemorative service, dawn service or march and to pause and pay respects to our veterans and current serving members, and their families."
