ANZAC Day – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse is deployed on Operation Accordion at Camp Baird, United Arab Emirates. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Dawn service ashore a first for sailor

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1975 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region

Deployed on Anzac Day in the Middle East region, Leading Seaman Phillip Lofthouse will honour his grandfather’s resilience as a

Royal Australian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison at his computer while deployed on Operation Accordion at Headquarters Middle East in 2025. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

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Thoughts of home while serving overseas

24/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1601 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Middle East Region, Operation Accordion

This Anzac Day, project engineer Flight Lieutenant Zac Pattison will reflect on those who served before him and the role

Royal Australian Air Force musician Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones will sing the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day. Story by Warrant Officer Ben van den Akker. Photo by Corporal Michael Currie.

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Singing for her Anzac ancestors

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2139 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, ANZAC Day, Chief of Defence Force, Vietnam

Members of Air Force Band have travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to perform at Anzac Day services hosted by the Australian

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hamish Smith at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

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Solemn duty to remember and connect

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1849 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian War Memorial, Last Post

Corporal Hamish Smith never imagined he would one day stand at the pinnacle of solemn remembrance on such an important

Private Luke Morrison, of Australia's Federation Guard, will join the catafalque party at Gallipoli. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

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Service in homage to great-grandfather’s memory

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1507 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

Days before departing for Gallipoli to take part in Anzac Day commemorations, Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) member Private Luke Morrison

Leading Seaman Benjamin Woodlock, of Australia's Federation Guard, at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025, when he will command the catafalque party at the Gallipoli dawn service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

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Honoured and humbled to serve

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1366 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

‘Woody’, to his mates is a Larrikin, but on April 25 he will be stepping into a very important role,

Leading Seaman Christine Merrilees with her son, Leading Seaman Shannon Leak, and her father, Chief Petty Officer Stewart Merrilees. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

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Three generations share Navy heritage

23/04/202523/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1698 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

As HMAS Sydney sails through the Indo-Pacific region this Anzac Day, one sailor on board has a deeply personal connection

Air Force's Corporal Kevin Jeffries, of Australia's Federation Guard, reflects at the statue of Simpson and his Donkey at the Australian War Memorial before heading to Lone Pine for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

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Proud moment to lead at Lone Pine

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1197 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

This Anzac Day, Corporal Kevin Jeffries will be standing proud at Lone Pine in Turkiye as the Commander of Australia’s

Army soldier Sergeant Jonathan Apps, of Australia's Federation Guard, with his daughters and a picture of his great-grandfather at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, during preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story. y Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

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Honouring commitment and sacrifice in France

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1128 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

As Anzac Day approaches, Army Sergeant Jonathan Apps is preparing for one of the most meaningful duties of his career

Able Seaman Rachel Brandt, of Australia's Federation Guard, places a poppy to mark her respects at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

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Continuing a family legacy of service

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1113 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

On Anzac Day this year, Able Seaman Rachel Brandt will have the perfect opportunity to pay respects to her great-great-uncle

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

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Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2619 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events

Victorian Governor Margaret Elaine Gardner, right, presents the daughter of Pilot Officer David Taylor, Margaret Ekberg, with his Medal for Gallantry for heroism in PNG during WW2. Story by John Noble.

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Remembering heroism 82 years on

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1696 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Their mission was as dangerous as any during World War 2, and more than 80 years after coming down in

Chief Petty Officer Gavin Stevens has received a Medal of Gallantry for helping to defuse a 200kg bomb in Iraq in 2003. Story by Lieutenant Madelyn Hanna. Photo by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

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Bravery on the battlefield commended – Anzac Day

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2462 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Iraq

This Anzac Day was memorable for Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Gavin Stevens, who marched donning his Medal for Gallantry for

Leading Seaman Peta Binns' great-great uncle, 2nd Lieutenant George Oakley Newton, is circled in a photo of his cadet class. Story by Leading Seaman Peta Binns. Photo supplied by Australian War Memorial (P00864.001).

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Feeling the weight of a military legacy – Anzac Day

03/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1868 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, WWI

A pilgrimage to Anzac Cove prompted Leading Seaman Peta Binns to reflect on the sacrifice and valour etched into her

Singer-guitarist Bill Waterhouse performs at the Majors Creek Anzac Day service. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

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Honouring shared history among the magpies – Anzac Day

02/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1609 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Vietnam War, WWI

The warble of magpies and chuckling of kookaburras filled the country air at Majors Creek as residents marched behind Australian

The Headquarters Middle East Anzac Day memorial following the dawn service. Story. and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

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Keeping traditions alive in the Middle East – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2023 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Gallipoli, Middle East, PTSD

Deployed servicemen and women in the Middle East gathered before first light to mark 109 years since the Gallipoli landings

The flags of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Turkiye are held over the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey following the conclusion of the Anzac Day memorial service. Story and photo by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

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Honouring the Anzac spirit in London – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2029 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, United Kingdom

Large crowds turned out in London for Anzac Day services led by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. CAPTION: The

Leading Aircraftman Connor Bourn from Australia's Federation Guard participates in the Catafalque Party during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller

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Strengthening Anzac and PNG bonds – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1539 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Dawn broke across Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wreath-laying and the playing of the

Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide an escort of honour at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Anzac Day 2024 commemorations in Story by Sergeant David Said. Photo by Corporal Sam Price.

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Anzac Day commemorated in the Philippines – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1950 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Philippines

To commemorate Anzac Day, a dawn service was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Philippines. CAPTION: Personnel

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart speaks with Ukrainian soldiers training under Operation Kudu during a visit to the United Kingdom. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

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Chief of Army visits Aussie troops in England

26/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2386 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Army, Villers-Bretonneux

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart urged Australians across the world to honour the words of the Ode of