Key Points
- The Anzac Day march was traditionally for those who fought in Gallipoli. Today, it extends to current and all former servicemen, servicewomen and their descendants, including those from diverse backgrounds.
- Many of the Australians enlisted came from diverse backgrounds.
- People from culturally diverse backgrounds want to connect with Anzac Day.
On Anzac Day, Australians across the country commemorate those who served, those who fought and those who perished in the Australian and New Zealand forces, with the Anzac Day march being a prominent event that honours their sacrifice and bravery.
Observed on 25 April every year, the march was traditionally dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) members who fought at Gallipoli during World War One.
However, it now extends to all former Australian servicemen, servicewomen, and their descendants, including those on the opposing side of the battles in Gallipoli.
In 2006, Victoria's RSL permitted descendants of Turkish World War One veterans the right to join the Anzac Day march, which continues today.
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How to participate in Anzac Day
Jean McAuslan, recipient of AMaGA (Australian Museum and Galleries Association) Victoria's life achievements awards for decades-long work at The Shrine of Remembrance and Australian War Memorial, says in a previous interview with SBS that exhibits and records reflect a feeling of embracing different nations into one Australian culture.
Ms McAuslan adds that it has illustrated the change in society over time, notably influenced by the impact of war.
She explains that while prisoners like the Italians, Germans and Japanese had to return to their country at the end of the war, some had already established a lifestyle in Australia.
"The Italians, in particular, had been so popular at working with local farmers, which they were able to do while they were in captivity and interned, that family sometimes sponsored them to come back and live in Australia," Ms McAuslan says.
Sankar Nadeson, a UK-born contemporary artist and researcher of Indian descent, is based in Naarm/Melbourne and has an art studio in London.
Left to Right: Alex Ilyin (right) with former comrade in arms Don Frohmuller and contemporary artist and researcher Sankar Nadeson.
He aims to instil a "positive national pride" devoid of jingoism or empty rhetoric.
Mr Nadeson says that despite growing up in England and wearing poppies on Remembrance Day since childhood, he never connected his family history with Anzac.
It wasn't until he began working with war widows that he realised the cultural diversity of the Anzacs and questioned his own story.
Through my artistic engagements with students from universities and secondary and primary schools across the state, I noticed that many were unaware of the existence of Chinese Anzacs.Sankar Nadeson
"I asked my aunt, and she said yes, your grandfather fought in the British Army in Malaysia, and I had no idea, completely no idea. I didn't actually connect to the Anzac story or to any of the stories of the conflict in war through the imperial forces or the Australian Defence Force on a very personal level in relationship to my history and my family," he explains.
says many of the almost 420,000 Australians enlisted during World War One came from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations Peoples and those with British, Asian, Greek and Northern European backgrounds. Approximately 200 Chinese migrants fought in World War One for Australia. While working with the Australia China Youth Association, Sankar Nadeson says his students were unfamiliar with Anzac's multicultural makeup.
"Students of Chinese descent were often unaware of the significant history of Chinese Anzacs. To highlight this, we created contemporary artworks using the vernacular of street art, including stencils depicting specific Chinese Anzacs. One such stencil portrayed Billy Sing, a renowned sniper who served in the Imperial Forces during World War One," Mr Nadeson says.
A Maori warrior in traditional dress leads the New Zealand veterans in the Anzac Day Parade through Sydney CBD on April 25, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ruth Goodwin/Getty Images) Credit: Ruth Goodwin/Getty Images
"When they saw a Chinese person with a slouch hat, they recognised that they actually have a very key part of history; they have been involved in Australian history they are not peripheral," he adds.
Born in China with Russian heritage, Alex Ilyin settled in Australia 50 years ago. His service in the army broadened his understanding of Australian culture.
"I came to Australia in '59; I was called up in '67. My English was not quite up to scratch, and my understanding of how life in Australia was still very much from the perspective of a newly arrived migrant," Mr Ilyin says.
Serving two years in Australian army really opened my eyes. I have worked closely shoulder to shoulder with dinky die Aussies from country and that helped me immensely to understand the Australian way of life, the speech, the language, the customs, you name it.Alex Ilyin
But for some soldiers and their descendants, there's a bitter taste when they return from active duty. Upon returning from the Vietnam War, Alex Ilyin remembers public opinion was against the conflict.
"When we came from Vietnam, a lot of us were told: 'OK, civilian clothes, and don't show up anywhere', because there was a very anti-Vietnam feeling in Australia. So, we, people who our government sent to fight for Australia, came back and had to hide, pardon the expression, almost in shame," Mr Ilyin recalls.
But under Bob Hawke, Australia recognised the service of veterans like Alex Ilyin with a big welcome home parade.
"From all over Australia, people flew to Sydney at government expense, and we marched through the streets of Sydney. From there onwards, we held our heads high and were very proud. We've done what was required from us by our country," Mr Ilyin says.
Since 1987, Alex Ilyin has not missed the ANZAC Day march.
According to Sanker Nadeson, who has worked with the Sikh community, the public recognition of the comforting process contributes to the nation's healing.
"When people see us or see you for what you have contributed for, what you have done, then there is a great deal of healing, and you can then go forward confidently in society," Mr Nadeson says.
People participate in the ANZAC Day March in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Steven Saphore/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Source: Anadolu / Anadolu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
"When I engaged with over a hundred community members at a Sikh temple in Melbourne's outer northwest, there was an overwhelming sense that this community was not 'othered' any longer."
Mr Nadeson believes that due to the recognition of its veterans, the Sikh community feels more integrated into the Australian community.
"Sometimes you recognise that you are different from the wider community, but when things are cohesive and bring people together, you feel Australian; you actually feel that this is what Australia is.
So, the Sikh community actually had the recognition that they were inextricably connected to this community, not another.Sankar Nadeson
Through his work with diverse communities, Mr Nadeson observed how each community approaches the day, revealing their innate traditions.
"In the Sikh culture, it's very serious. There's a very serious tone because they have the warrior saint traditions, but at the same time, there is always a sense of celebration, and so they were very colourful."
"Then you have the Chinese community, and everything is red, it's red for Remembrance but it's also red for prosperity. When they make pictures of Chinese diggers, they actually had the very strong link and deep respect to a sense of ancestral belonging," Mr Nadeson adds.
Crowds are seen during the ANZAC Day March in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Steven Saphore/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Source: Anadolu / Anadolu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
"My observation is that there is a wish, on the part of people I come into contact with, to be a part of it, to engage with a very significant day in Australia's history," she says.
Every 25 April, Alex Ilyin and his son aim to keep their tradition by joining the Anzac Day march, honouring those who served in the Australian army.
"There is a continuation of the Anzac tradition. My son went into the military forces, he served as a regular in Iraq, Timor, and Solomon Island as a peacekeeper, so the tradition is well and alive."
Commemorative services are held across the country at dawn on 25 April, coinciding with the time of the original Gallipoli landing. Later in the day, Anzac Day marches occur from small towns to major cities.
To learn more about the Anzac history, visit The Australian government’s and .
*The Returned and Services League
