Australians overseas commemorate Anzac spirit amid geopolitical tensions and global insecurity
From Malta to Tuvalu, Australians overseas have commemorated the Anzac spirit in far flung locations amid geopolitical turbulence and global insecurity.
With spiralling conflicts in the Middle East, Anzac Day has taken a more resonant meaning for Australians in the restive region.
“Australia’s embassies, high commissions and consulates will commemorate Anzac Day across the globe, whether in regions of peace or conflict,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“In the Middle East, several embassies will mark the occasion despite being unable to host usual events due to the conflict.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Australian embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq have encouraged Australians living locally to stand at dawn to honour those who served.
All three countries have been dragged in the wider war as Iran stares down the US and Israel as fragile ceasefires are negotiated.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has maintained Australia is not a participant but has deployed an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Gulf to help secure the Emirati airspace and defend Australians living there.
The importance of keeping the Anzac spirit alive was also not lost by Australia’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Miles Armitage.
Although we may be physically apart this year, we remain united in spirit. In challenging times like these, that spirit of remembrance, resilience and connection matters more than ever,” he said.
There are about 115,000 Australians in the Middle East with about 25,000 in the UAE alone.
In Europe, the Maltese president was expected to attend a ceremony at the Pietà Military Cemetery where Australian casualties were evacuated from the Gallipoli campaign in World War I for treatment and 174 Australians are buried.
And in the Netherlands, schoolchildren were to lay flowers in honour of 21-year-old Australian Spitfire pilot Warrant Officer Jack Dawson Green.
He was shot down in 1945 while attacking a German convoy at Barendrecht Bridge near Rotterdam, just three weeks before the end of the war.
In Japan, a commemoration was planned at the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery, where more than 281 Australian prisoners of war are buried.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs on Saturday listed almost 1800 attendees for the annual dawn service at Gallipoli, some 2500 for services in France and almost 5000 in Port Moresby.
