Honouring defence service & sacrifice at our 73rd ANZAC Field of Remembrance
In the quiet moments before ANZAC Day, a gathering takes place that gives families, especially war widows, chance to remember in their own way. The ANZAC Field of Remembrance is not just a ceremony—it’s a space where people can pause and lay a tribute for someone they loved. It offers a moment to honour lives lived, and service given, in a way that is both shared and personal.
Held on 23 April 2025, the ANZAC Field of Remembrance returned to the grounds of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney. Now in its 73rd year, the Field of Remembrance continues to give families the opportunity to mark the legacy of service in a way that speaks directly to their experience. The service at St Andrew’s Cathedral was livestreamed for members and supporters across the country. It included the laying of wooden crosses, hymns, readings and a minute’s silence.
A place for war widows and veteran families to reflect
Those in attendance included members of the Families of Veterans Guild, Defence representatives, clergy and community figures. Together, they stood with widows and families who live with the loss of someone who served. The Field of Remembrance began in 1952, when Mrs C.J. Pope, widow of Rear-Admiral C.J. Pope RAN, organised the first service with the support of War Widows NSW. It was inspired by a similar tradition she saw in London. Since then, the Field has been held in Sydney every year, offering a way to mark service and sacrifice through a simple, quiet act.
That act remains powerful. Each cross laid in the Field represents someone remembered: a life, a story, and the people who carry that memory.
Regional and virtual participation: keeping remembrance accessible
In addition to the service in Sydney, ANZAC Field of Remembrance gatherings were also held in regional communities across New South Wales. Guild members gathered in towns including Coffs Harbour, Albury, Goulburn, Laurieton and Nowra, each creating their own local Field to reflect together and honour their loved ones. These gatherings continue to be an important part of our broader purpose: ensuring that commemoration is accessible and meaningful no matter where war widows and veteran families live.
To ensure members of our community from around the country can be involved, the Guild continues to offer ways for people to participate no matter where they live. This year, war widows and families could request a wooden cross to be laid with their tribute on their behalf at the Field in Sydney or take part in the Virtual Field of Remembrance by placing a tribute online. The livestream remains a key way to connect those who cannot be there in person.
The Field was again displayed at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, creating a visible space of reflection and respect for the all community.
The link between the Field of Remembrance and ANZAC Day is significant. While ANZAC Day is about national remembrance, the Field provides a moment for personal tribute. For many widows and families, it is a time to reflect, speak a name, and remember someone they knew and loved. It reminds us that behind every name on a memorial is a family who continues to remember.
As our President said at this year’s service, “We gather here not only to remember, but to continue. To continue honouring, to continue telling their stories, and to continue supporting each other.”
This is what the Field of Remembrance offers: a way to mark remembrance that is personal, honest, and shared. To everyone who took part— whether in Sydney, online, or quietly at home—thank you for remembering and for standing with families who continue to carry these stories.
View this year’s tribute video and lay your tribute in our virtual field.
