Diplomats and Descendants Mark 111th Anniversary of Gallipoli Landings at Historic Anzac Cove Service

Thousands gather at Anzac Cove for the 111th anniversary of Gallipoli. Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and Ambassador Sally-Anne Vincent honor the fallen.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 5:40 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Century of Remembrance at Anzac Cove

The 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign was marked by a solemn Dawn Service at Anzac Cove on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Thousands of attendees from Australia, New Zealand, and Türkiye gathered at the historic landing site to observe a moment of silence as the sun rose over the Aegean Sea. The ceremony, which has become a cornerstone of the shared identity for the participating nations, featured the playing of the national anthems of Türkiye, Australia, and New Zealand. This year’s service underscored the transition of the peninsula from a site of catastrophic conflict to a landscape of international pilgrimage and reconciliation.

The Human Cost of the 1915 Landings

During the proceedings, New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro provided a poignant reflection on the individual tragedies that define the broader historical narrative. Kiro cited the story of Eliza O’Donnell, a New Zealand mother who undertook the arduous journey to Gallipoli to visit her son’s grave, as a testament to the lasting imprint of the war on families. Kiro emphasized that the ability of New Zealanders to return to these shores to honor their fallen is sustained by the profound generosity and hospitality of the Turkish people and their government. Her address highlighted how the "Anzac spirit" has evolved into a symbol of resilience and shared memory.

From Adversaries to Enduring Friends

Australian Ambassador Sally-Anne Vincent addressed the congregation with a message focused on the growth of diplomatic and personal friendships from the scars of battle. Vincent referenced the ongoing legacy of searching for missing soldiers, such as Private George Roy Irwin, noting that the grief of 1915 was a burden shared by both the invading Anzac forces and the Turkish defenders. She remarked that the current relationship between the nations is a rare historical example of how former enemies can forge a bond based on mutual respect and understanding. According to Vincent, the suffering of the past has directly informed a modern partnership characterized by peace and cooperation.