Gold Coast Hinterland

Anzac Day is observed on the 25th of April and is widely recognised as Australia's most important national war memorial event. The day remembers the anniversary of the first significant military action by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War and both countries commemorate and honour the day.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers are known as as Anzacs. Modern Anzac Day celebrates all who served and died in wars, military conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and remembers and recognises the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Tonga, Niue and Pitcairn and of course New Zealand.

🌺 Brief History of Anzac Day

In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers that were part of the allied expedition that embarked to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. The plan was to capture Constantinople the capital of the Ottoman Empire, that is now Istanbul, and at the time a key ally of the Germans. The troops landed at Gallipoli on 25 April and met devastating resistance from the Turkish side. The battle lasted for 8 months. About 60,000 Australian and New Zealanders fought at Gallipoli, there were around 26,000 casualties and 7,594 were killed. The total battle resulted in around 90,000 killed.

🌺 National Day of Remembrance in Gold Coast Hinterland and all Australia

Services commemorating Anzac day occur at sunrise. During the remainder of the day, ex-service people and their families meet for marches through the main cities and towns throughout Australia.

Traditionally restricted business trading hours occur to the larger shops. Many services open after the Anzac Day services have finished at around 1PM.

If Anzac Day falls on a weekend in Australia, most states will observe a public holiday on the following Monday.

🌺 State-by-State Public Holiday Observations

ANZAC Day is commemorated nationally across Australia; however, public holiday arrangements and substitute holidays may vary between states and territories when 25 April falls on a weekend.

• New South Wales (NSW) – Monday, 26 April is observed as an additional public holiday.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Monday, 26 April is observed as the official public holiday.
• Western Australia (WA) – Monday, 26 April is observed as the public holiday.
• Queensland (QLD) – ANZAC Day is commemorated on Sunday, 25 April, with no statewide substitute public holiday on the Monday.
• Victoria (VIC) – ANZAC Day is commemorated on Sunday, 25 April, with normal weekend public holiday arrangements applying.
• South Australia (SA) – ANZAC Day is commemorated on Sunday, 25 April, with no additional statewide public holiday observed on Monday.
• Tasmania (TAS) – ANZAC Day is commemorated on Sunday, 25 April, with no substitute statewide public holiday.
• Northern Territory (NT) – ANZAC Day is commemorated on Sunday, 25 April, with standard weekend public holiday arrangements applying.

🌺 Lest we forget