On the morning of 23 April, we gathered once again to do what war widows and veteran families have done for 74 years: to remember their loved one, their own way.
The 74th annual ANZAC Field of Remembrance was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, where 140 guests came together in person ahead of ANZAC Day. Many more joined us through the live stream, with members gathering in Coffs Harbour, Albury, Laurieton, Nowra and Yass, and 20 others watching from homes across the country. No matter where we were, we were united in the same act of remembrance.
A service led with meaning
The service was led by Master of Ceremonies, Sarah Loft, who opened proceedings with a warm welcome. Sarah herself understands loss intimately, as her partner, Corporal Alexander Naggs, was among those who perished in a tragic helicopter accident during Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2023. Her presence at the lectern was a reminder of the daily danger faced by the members of our Defence Force and why the ANZAC Field of Remembrance matters so deeply to war widows and veteran families.
The Very Reverend Sandy Grant, Dean of Sydney, opened proceedings with a welcome and The Lord’s Prayer. Our President, Queen Dunbar, then delivered her welcome address, sharing her reflection about the meaning of the ANZAC Field of Remembrance. Our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW delivered a Bible reading before the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney, delivered an inspirational address on service, sacrifice and the strength of war widows and veteran families.
The laying of tributes
The service moved through hymns and prayer before arriving at the heart of the ceremony — the laying of tributes. Our Board Chair, Tricia Hobson, laid a wreath on behalf of all war widows and veteran families alongside Mrs Clare Gibson, Assistant Minister, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Cathedral Community. Her Excellency and Mr Wilson were among the first to lay a cross, placing it in recognition of unknown Australian service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, followed by government representatives, members of the Australian Defence Force, Consul Generals from New Zealand, the United States, Great Britain and France, as well as representatives from the DVA, RSL NSW, Legacy and Soldier On.
War widows stepped forward to lay crosses for each conflict — from the First and Second World Wars through to Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, peacekeeping operations, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Each was accompanied by a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of a veteran, who placed a sprig of wattle alongside the cross — a moment that reminded us of the memories and resilience carried across generations.
Personal tributes from war widows
Then came the moments that carry the most meaning: all war widows in attendance stepped forward and laid their own personal tribute to their veteran. The crosses themselves, crafted with care by the St Vincent’s de Paul Society Men’s Shed Haberfield, were adorned with personal messages, rosemary, drawings, and private words dedicated to the ones they loved.
Then the Field grew further still, as families and members of the congregation were invited to come forward and lay their own tribute in the Field in remembrance of a veteran they love.
The Ode of Remembrance was recited by Pamela Goddhart-Dodd, followed by the Last Post, a minute of silence, The Rouse, and both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems. The service closed with a deeply moving reading of the poem The Silent Ranks, delivered by Sue Doolin and her grandson, Angus — a tribute to all those who stand beside and behind our veterans, in service and in loss.
The crosses laid that morning did not remain only within the Cathedral walls. From the following day, they were displayed at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, where the broader community could see the Field, the tributes and the names of those who may not have made it to an honour roll — and where war widows and families loss, grief and sacrifices were in view, for all to acknowledge and understand a little deeper, during ANZAC Day and beyond.
Watch the service
To make the service as accessible to all in our community, regardless of location and availability, once again the ANZAC Field of Remembrance was recorded. Click here to watch the service.
This year, as our organisation marks 80 years, the ANZAC Field of Remembrance stands as a testament to what we have always known: that remembrance is not a single day. For war widows who miss their veteran, they remember every day.
