25 April 2017 PA-CN/17/06
Commemorating ANZAC Day in Chennai
The Australian Consulate-General in Chennai held a Dawn Service today at the Madras War Cemetery to commemorate ANZAC Day. Every year on this day, Australians and New Zealanders gather at ANZAC Day ceremonies around the world to commemorate the sacrifice of the men and women who have served their nation in times of war and conflict.
ANZAC stands for ‘Australian and New Zealand Army Corps’, and 25 April marks the landing of Australian, New Zealand and allied troops on the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915. Thousands of Indian soldiers also fought alongside the ANZACs at Gallipoli.
Speaking at the Dawn Service in Chennai, Australian Consul-General for South India Mr Sean Kelly, thanked those gathered for the commemoration and reminded that, “ANZAC Day is a time when we honour our country men and women’s service and sacrifice”.
Commenting on the Centenary of ANZAC, Mr Kelly also said, “ANZAC Day 2017 forms part of the Centenary of ANZAC (2014 to 2018) which is a significant period of national commemoration for Australians. Marking 100 years since our involvement in the First World War, the ANZAC Centenary is a time to reflect not just on the service of the original ANZACs, but also the generations of Australian servicemen and women who have defended our values in war and peace time since then.”
Further information about ANZAC Day and the ANZAC Centenary is available at: http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/