Australians and New Zealanders are gathering at local cenotaphs and memorials this morning to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The annual April 25 observance honors the initial Allied military engagement during World War I that fundamentally shaped the national identity of both countries. Broadcasters including the ABC initiated live coverage today starting with the Sydney Dawn Service at 4:20 a.m. AEST at the Martin Place Cenotaph.
Coverage will continue throughout the day. Widespread national marches are scheduled to follow the morning ceremonies. International memorial services will broadcast live from the Gallipoli peninsula at 12:30 p.m. AEST and from Villers-Bretonneux at 1:30 p.m. AEST. Major global news outlets syndicate this memorial coverage as the day progresses.
How the Monday Public Holiday Shift Impacts the NSW Hospitality Sector
Because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, the New South Wales government implemented a major policy shift. Authorities granted an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27. The decision breaks from the state’s historical precedent of not offering a substitute day. It formally aligns NSW with the established frameworks in Western Australia and the ACT.
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association actively urged hospitality venues to remain closed over the extended weekend. Representatives stated the compounded public holiday penalty rates push already strained profit margins into unmanageable territory. Thousands of workers and retail staff are currently assessing their workplace penalty pay and substitute day rights under the newly adjusted holiday schedule.