Anzac Day Service 2026

6:45am

Introduction – Master of Ceremonies
Catafalque / Parade Marches On

7.00 am

Volleys – Canon Fires (x 2)
Parade Fall In – Parade Marshall
Welcome – Master of Ceremonies
Hymn – Abide with Me
Wreath Laying
Hymn – I Vow to Thee My Country
Parade to Attention – Parade Marshall
Volleys – Canon Fires (x 3)
Present Arms – Parade Marshall
Last Post – Bugler
The Ode – Allan Fraser BEM
Remembrance – One Minute Silence
Shoulder Arms – Parade Marshall
Prayer of Commemoration – Padre Aaron Douglas
Lord’s Prayer – Christine McLeod
Reveille – Bugler
Present Arms – Parade Marshall
National Anthems – Choir
Benediction – Padre Aaron Douglas
Laying of Poppies – Piper Plays Lament
Parade Marches Off / Dismissal

Abide With Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee
Help of helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day,
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness
Where is deaths sting, where, grave thy victory?
I triumph still if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heavens morning breaks and earths vain shadows flee,
In life and death, O Lord, abide with me.

* * *

I Vow To Thee My Country

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test
That lays upon the altar, the dearest and the best
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know
We may not count her armies, we may not see her king
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering
And soul by soul, and silently her shining bounds increase
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā
I te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.

* * *

The History of the Ode

This is the fourth stanza from Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen. Referred to as the Ode of Remembrance, it was first published in the Times of London in September 1914 and has been incorporated into the ritual of remembrance in many countries.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;

Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai Aotearoa

God of Nations at thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet;
Hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific’s triple star, from the shafts of strife and war;
Make her praises heard afar. God defend New Zealand.