On 24 November 2024, the Anzac Memorial will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of its opening.

In 1934, more than 100,000 people assembled in Hyde Park to witness the official opening of the Memorial. Prior to the ceremony, a procession of over 20,000 returned servicemen marched from the Domain to Hyde Park wearing their war medals with pride.

The opening ceremony was solemn and simple and featured a short speech by H.R.H. Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester from the western terrace in which he praised the sacrifice of the men and women who had died during the war. The Archbishop of Sydney offered the prayer of dedication and after the Last Post was played, silence descended upon the park for a minute of private contemplation. The soaring sound of the Reveille and a resonant rendition of God Save the King concluded the day’s formalities.

Special events, exhibitions, and lectures will be held throughout 2024 to celebrate this occasion.

View the events via the dropdown menu below.

A commemorative service at the Anzac Memorial.

Events

8 March | International Women's Day

4 April | RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration

25 April | Anzac Day

31 May | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service

19 July | Battle of Fromelles Commemoration

20 September | 25th Anniversary of Australian Service in East Timor Star Ceremony

24 November | Anzac Memorial's 90th Anniversary Open Day & Commemoration

Exhibitions

Permanent exhibition | All year
Explore the evolution of Australian military service through the personal stories of NSW service men and women.

Treasures of the Anzac Memorial | Until 31 December 2025
Showcasing a selection of treasures of the Memorial and its collections.

Veteran Artist in Residence Exhibition | Until 31 December 2025
Showcasing the work of the Anzac Memorial's Veteran Artist in Residence, Domenic Bartolo.

Photography exhibition: Stories of the Dat Do Dogs | Now available to view digitally >
Portraits and words of veterans of the Vietnam War, featuring the photography of Jack McLain.

Serving the White Ensign: 110 years of the Australian Fleet | Now available to view digitally >
Temporary exhibition on the history of the Royal Australian Navy.

HERstory: Remembering Australia’s Military Women | Now available to view digitally >
A photographic exhibition and digital stories acknowledging women's service.

RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Exhibition | Now available to view digitally >
A showcase of the finalist’s artwork in the 2024 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art competition.

An Artist in the Army; Guy Warren on Bougainville 1944-45 | Until 22 October
An exhibition featuring sketches and photographs created by Guy Warren during his military service in Bougainville between October 1944 and the Japanese surrender in 1945.

Point & Shoot; Australian Veteran Photography Exhibition | 2-6 October
A powerful collection of career imagery and accompanying stories from Australian veterans.

A lecture held by RUSI NSW. Photo courtesy of RUSI NSW.

Lectures

Anzac Memorial

6 June | D-Day Anniversary Lecture with Brad Manera. Read the transcript >

4 November | Reflections on the Memorial.

Military History Society of NSW

3 February | Chaplains in WW1: Padre "Fighting Mac" McKenzie. Watch the recording >

2 March | Operation Oboe: Australian Amphibious Landings in Borneo, May-July 1945. Watch the recording >

6 April | Beyond the 'Kantai Kessen': Japan's Fateful Defeat in the Southwest Pacific. Watch the recording >

4 May | Battle for Beersheba & Ottoman III Corps. Watch the recording >

1 June | The Sword and the Scales: The Military and the Administration of Justice in NSW Since Colonial Times. Watch the recording >

6 July | An Australian Country Town at War: Armidale 1914-1918. Watch the recording >

3 August | The Miracle of D-Day, 6 June 1944. Watch the recording >

7 September | Don’t Mention The War: Fighting the French in Syria and Lebanon, 1941. Watch the recording >

5 October | Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War: The Equation Changes, March-July 1862. Watch the recording >

2 November | NSW Contingent to Sudan 1885. Watch the recording >

7 December | Florence Nightingale & The Crimean War. Register now >

The Royal United Services Institute of NSW

More information on RUSI's events is available here.

30 January | Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey. Watch the recording >

27 February | Defence Strategic Review - The Strategic Implications. Speaker: Associate Professor Adam Lockyer, Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University. Watch the recording >

26 March | Thales Group - Undersea Systems. Speaker: Gavin Henry, Business Development Manager.

30 April | The Defence Strategic Review; One Year On. Speaker: Professor Peter Dean - USSC.

28 May | The Rules of War. Speaker: Mr James Gaynor CSC, Inspector General, Australian Defence Force. Watch the recording >

25 June | The Ukrainian Conflict. Speaker: HE The Ukrainian Ambassador Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko. Watch the recording >

30 July | Australian Defence Industry: Enhancing Sovereign Defence Capability - Challenges and Future Prospects. Speaker: Lincoln Parker. Watch the recording >

27 August | Analysis of Australia’s surface combatant fleet review. Speakers including: Jennifer Parke and Adam Lockyer. Watch the recording >

24 September | Development and Use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Speaker: AVM Glen BRAZ AM CSC DSM, Air Commander Australia. Watch the recording >

29 October | Clouded Views - data protection in today's electronic world. Speaker: Thomas Hamer. Watch the recording >

26 November | Sir Hermann Black Memorial Lecture. Speaker: George Brandis KC. Register now >

Public Programs

10 September | History Week Presentation: With Hope and Resilience; Marking Time as a Prisoner of War
This History Week, join us for a presentation on life as a prisoner of war and a performance of a lively reading from a POW's diary. Watch the recording>

21 November | "Devoted Service" live performance and tour
A powerful and moving performance derived from the true stories of five remarkable women during the Great War. Book now>

24 November | 90th Anniversary Open Day & Commemoration
Celebrate the Anzac Memorial's 90th Anniversary with special events, exhibitions, and commemorations. Register now >

Retail

Support the Anzac Memorial and help us celebrate its 90th Anniversary by purchasing a copy of our 90th Anniversary publication!

Ninety Treasures – 90 Years, showcases the remarkable depth of the Memorial’s rich and varied collection from colonial times to the 21st century. Within its 144 pages, vivid illustrations and 90 stirring narratives demonstrate the diversity of NSW military experience and the courage, endurance and sacrifice of generations of Australians whose lives have been profoundly affected by war.

Purchase your copy now and join us as we celebrate the stories of service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

Order your copy instore or online here.

The Anzac Memorial shop also features a wide range of items for all ages including jewellery, books, homewares, scarves and more. View the full range of products via the Memorial's Online Shop.

One of our dedicated guides in the Hall of Service.

Tours

Led by one of our knowledgeable guides, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the history and symbolism behind the Memorial, including the Memorial’s architectural design that dates back to the 1930s and the more recent award-winning Centenary Extension that commemorates over 100 years of service.

Free Highlights tours are weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Special Twilight Tours will be held monthly from August to November.

Tours for groups of 10 or more are available upon request.

There are also special free guided tours on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.