Thousands of Aussies gather to remember the fallen

As the rain stopped falling, Major General Matthew Pearce delivered the ANZAC Commemoration Address.

Major Pearce has served within the Australian Army for more than 30 years, in a career that included deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He opened his speech by recognising a number of significant anniversaries that will be marked this year.

“This year marks the significant anniversary of a number of battles,” he said.

“The 80th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, the Fall of Singapore, the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Kokoda Campaign.”