Skip to main content
Skip to main menu
Search
Search
Anzac Portal
Sharing Australia's military and service history through the experiences of our veterans
About us
Subscribe
Disclaimer
Privacy notice
Accessibility
Copyright
Contact Us
Wars and missions
World War I 1914 to 1918
World War II 1939 to 1945
Kokoda Track 1942 to 1943
Burma-Thailand Railway and Hellfire Pass 1942 to 1943
The Malayan Emergency 1948 to 1960
Korean War 1950 to 1953
The Indonesian Confrontation 1962 to 1966
Vietnam War 1962 to 1975
Gulf War 1990 to 1991
Peacekeeping since 1947
Stories of service
Australians at War stories
Great War memories
Veterans' stories
Vietnam war stories
Short films
3-nine-39 radio and video series
Commemoration
Days of commemoration in Australia
Symbols of commemoration
Personal commemorations
Event planning
Memorial sites to visit
Commemorative grants
Education and research
Find an Australian veteran
Recording oral histories
Schools
Education competitions
Glossary of terms
Biographies
Resources
You are here
Home
Commemoration
Commemoration
This page lists content tagged with "Commemoration"
'Lest we forget' as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism The phrase 'Lest we forget' is from a line in an 1897 Rudyard Kipling poem, Recessional:
About us
Commemorations & War Graves The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) acknowledges and commemorates all those who have served Austral
Anzac biscuits to make for Anzac Day or a commemorative event
Recipe for Anzac biscuits We published this recipe in our book, We Remember Anzac: Primary Resource
Anzac Day 25 April
Anzac Day In Australia (1940) newsreel (Video)
The first Anzac Day of the war was seen very much as a passing of the torch from the original AIF to the Second AIF. In this newsreel footage, we see troops, World War I veterans and police marching…
Anzac Day Kitbag for hosting a commemorative event (Fact sheet)
Host resources for an Anzac Day ceremony. Our kitbag includes a suggested order of service with flag protocols, speech, the Ode of Remembrance, music suggestions and the National Anthem. Print them…
Australian experiences in the Vietnam War: In Their Own Words (Classroom activity), (Educational), (Virtual lesson)
In this virtual lesson, we present Australian veterans of the Vietnam War talking about their service experience. We gathered the memories of Australians who served in our Veterans' Stories oral…
Australian Remembrance Trail in Belgium and France
Plan your trip Between 1916 and 1918, some 295,000 Australians served on the Western Front.
Australian war graves and overseas memorials
In Australia
Battle for Australia Day
Significance of the day Thousands of Australians were engaged in actions against Japanese forces during the Battle for Australia.
Bugles - Last Post - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on the bugle. Bugles are musical instruments that were played during battles to send instructions to soldiers. A tune called The Last Post marked the end of the day when the…
Commemorating Australian Service in Somalia poster 2022 (Poster)
The 2022 commemorative poster acknowledges the 30th anniversary of the Australian Defence Force deployment to Somalia from 1992 to 1995. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of Australian…
Commemoration
The Australian Government commemorates and remembers the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service men and women.
Commemorative grants to honour Australian veterans
Grant categories DVA provides two categories of grants under the
Dawn ceremony as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism The idea of a dawn service originates from the army's 'stand-to' routine in World War I.
Emu plume as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism
Eternal flame as a symbol of commemoration
History of its symbolism An eternal flame, like a flame, lamp or torch, glows for
Flags - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on flags flown at half-mast. This is a commemorative symbol that means we are remembering someone who has died. On Anzac Day, the Australian flag is lowered for a period of time…
Here they come—A day to remember video (Video)
This video is part of a series of videos developed for the Here they come—A day to remember publication.
Honour Rolls - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on honour rolls, which records the names of individuals from a community who served during a war. Communities make honour rolls to recognise the service of veterans and remember…
Honour rolls as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism
Kokoda Track trekking in Papua New Guinea
Significance of Kokoda When Australians remember World War I, they often think of the Gallipoli Campaign. When they think of World War II, many think of the Kokoda Campaign.
Medals as symbols of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism Medals and decorations are an official symbol of someone's service in the defence forces.
Memorial sites to visit in Australia and overseas
Remembering ... in many ways Wherever you are in Australia, in small towns and large cities, you can find a war memorial. Community war memorials come in many forms:
Merchant Navy Day 3 September
Significance of 3 September We commemorate Merchant Navy Day each year on 3 September. This is the anniversary of the first merchant marine sinking of World War II.
One minute's silence as a symbol of commemoration
History of its symbolism Edward George Honey, a Melbourne journalist and World War I veteran, was living in London in 1919.
Personal commemorations
Planning an Anzac Day service or a commemorative event
Help with your event Feel free to use our information or adapt it to suit your audience. Print the 2022 Anzac Day poster.
Poppies - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on poppies, which are red flowers that symbolise commemoration. Poppies grew on the battlefields of Belgium and France in World War I. Many Australian soldiers died there during…
Poppies to make for Anzac Day or Remembrance Day
Making a paper poppy There are lots of ways to make a commemorative poppy. Painted cupcake papers can produce lovely flowers.
Red poppies as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism During World War I, red poppies were among the first plants to grow on the Western Front
Reflections on Enlistment in World War II: In Their Own Words (Classroom activity), (Virtual lesson), (Educational)
In this lesson, we present Australian veterans of World War II. They're talking about enlisting for military service. We gathered recollections from Australians who participated in our Veterans'…
Remembrance Day 11 November
Planning for the day To help you commemorate on the day, we have a handy pack of printable resources – the Remembrance Day Kitbag.
Remembrance Day Kitbag for hosting a commemorative event (Fact sheet)
Host resources for a Remembrance Day service. Our kitbag includes a suggested order of service with flag protocols, music, sample speeches, the Ode of Remembrance and activities for children. Print…
Riderless horse as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism For hundreds of years, the riderless horse has been used in military parades to remember fallen soldiers.
Rosemary - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on the herb rosemary. Rosemary grows wild on Gallipoli in Turkey. Many Australian soldiers died there during World War I. This symbolic herb is often worn on Anzac Day to help us…
Rosemary as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism Since ancient times, the aromatic herb rosemary has been believed to improve your memory. It's an ancient symbol of fidelity and remembrance.
Salute as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism
Sample speeches for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day
Simple speech for Anzac Day This speech would be suitable for a commemorative address for small ceremonies at primary schools, aged care facilities and other local community settings.
Slouch hat as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism
Symbols of commemoration
You'll find many meaningful symbols of commemoration at services held on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and during military ceremonies and funerals.
Victory in the Pacific Day 15 August
Vietnam Veterans' Day 18 August
Australians and the Vietnam War The Vietnam War was Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th Century.
War Cemeteries within Australia (Fact sheet)
The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) cares for the perpetual commemorations of Commonwealth forces of the First and Second World Wars in 72 Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) war…
War memorials as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism Memorials provide a place for people to gather and remember those who served from their local community, region, state or country.
War museums and memorials to visit
Visit a site or interact online Museums play a vital role in educating the public by:
Why We Remember: P-3 Commemoration presentation (Classroom activity), (Educational)
Presentation slide deck for teachers of P-3 students in Australia. Designed to explain the difference between 'celebration' and 'commemoration' to lower primary students. It explores the terms '…
Wreaths - Here they come—A day to remember (Video)
This video focuses on wreaths as a commemorative symbol to help us honour and remember people who have died in war. Wreaths are often laid at ceremonies and memorials during such commemorative…
Wreaths as a symbol of commemoration in Australia
History of its symbolism In ancient times, the Romans used a wreath of laurel leaves to symbolise bravery, strength and triumph.
Wreaths to make for Anzac Day or a commemorative event
Making a commemorative wreath You may like to make your own wreath for a ceremony or a personal commemoration at home.
Subscribe to Commemoration