Booing disrupts Sydney Anzac Day dawn service

Australians across the country are gathering at dawn services and marches to mark Anzac Day 2026, with thousands converging on cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. A significant incident occurred at Sydney's Anzac Day dawn service at The Cenotaph in Martin Place, where loud and lengthy booing was heard during the Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Uncle Ray Minniecon. The service, which first took place in 1928, was otherwise underway with invited guests holding wreaths marked "Lest We Forget" while live bagpipes played, as members of the public gathered nearby. In Melbourne, approximately 50,000 people are expected at the Shrine of Remembrance, where crowds have gathered around the Eternal Flame for the dawn service. The tone at the Melbourne event is respectful, with people speaking in whispers, and this year's service carries a special focus on honouring those who have served in peacekeeping operations throughout the Middle East. Brisbane also saw thousands make their way to Anzac Square in the CBD in the early morning hours, with ceremony MC Darren Curtis noting that Australians have the unique opportunity to "gather in unity" on Anzac Day. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra conducted its Dawn Service at 5:30am AEST. Anzac Day commemorates the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War on April 25, 1915, and has been observed as a national day of remembrance for more than a century. More than 100,000 Australians have died in war since then, making Anzac Day a solemn occasion to honour those who have served and sacrificed for the nation. The ABC is providing comprehensive coverage of Anzac Day services and events across ABC Radio, ABC TV, ABC iview, and online platforms throughout the day.