Tens of thousands of Australians have gathered at dawn services around the country to honour the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans.

Saturday marks the 111th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand forces landing on the Turkish coast at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

More than 8000 Australian soldiers died during the unsuccessful campaign, which failed to wrest control of the Dardanelles.

For many whose time in the military has ended, struggles in civilian life persist.

This Anzac Day, as thousands gathered on a mild morning at the Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place, veterans assistance leaders called for attendees to spare a thought for those battling in the present as well as the past.

Thousands have attended the Anzac Day dawn service at the Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place. Photo: AAP

The sombre atmosphere in Sydney was broken by a small but vocal interjection of booing that greeted the acknowledgement of Country by Pastor and Uncle Ray Minniecon.

After those disturbing the peace were quieted and the acknowledgement concluded, a chorus of applause and cheering rang for an extended period to show support for Uncle Minniecon.

“We do have laws to try and deter people from this but it seems like these people still want to be lawless,” Uncle Minniecon said after the ceremony.

“They just need to realise their place in this country … and show their deepest respect.”

Crowds gave Uncle Ray Minniecon a chorus of applause and cheering after boos rang out earlier. Photo: AAP

Similar disruption was drowned out in Melbourne where Bunurong and Gunditjmara man Uncle Mark Brown delivered his welcome.

Premier Chris Minns and his opposition counterpart Kellie Sloane were among those who paid their respects at the Sydney dawn service.

Outside of those few intent on disturbing the peace, the thousands who filled several blocks on Martin Place were asked to think of all those who have served Australia in defence.

Retired Brigadier Vince Williams is a fifth-generation member of a military family and now leads one organisation tasked with helping returning veterans find their feet in civilian life.

The heroism of those that fought is well remembered but the support for those whose military careers were cut short against their will should also be front of mind, Williams told AAP.

“When you’ve been in a career where life is organised for you … when you transition out, you may not be able to afford to live in the area which was your last posting location,” the acting president of RSL NSW said.

Vince Williams says support is important for those whose military careers were cut short. Photo: AAP

“Having a network is absolutely essential and that feeling of connectivity is what the RSL brings to the equation.”

Homelessness and suicide are two of the most pressing issues facing veterans who leave the defence force, but Williams believes processes are improving to care for struggling former soldiers.

Even something as simple as reconnecting with former comrades at a dawn service can do wonders for the mental state of veterans.

“One of the great things about a military career is you have so much in common with one another,” Williams said.

“When you reconnect after a year’s gap it’s just like you last met them yesterday.”

Peace ‘always worth fighting for’

Anthony Albanese has attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Photo: AAP

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to acknowledge the debt owed to all servicemen and women who have gone to war.

“We give thanks to our veterans for all you have given,” he has told the some 35,000 people gathered.

“We thank all Australians serving now, and we thank your families, who take on both the pride and the burden.

“What their legacy proves to us is that even when peace seems elusive, it is always worth fighting for.”

As part of the Canberra service, the traditional Maori haka has been performed in war memorial’s forecourt.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has described Anzac Day as something more than an expression of respect and gratitude.

“In remembering our fallen – in reaching into the past – we remind ourselves of who we are as Australians,” he says in a statement.

Anzac Day marches in Melbourne and Sydney will begin at 9am AEST, and Last Post ceremonies will be held in the late afternoon.

A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft will fly over the national war memorial during the veterans’ march at 9.30am.

Roberts-Smith at service

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith has attended an Anzac Day service in Queensland while on bail over war crime charges.

Roberts-Smith denies the accusations.

“Anzac Day is sacred to me and every other veteran,” he told the Australian on Friday.

“I will be attending to pay my respects and I encourage everyone else to.”

Roberts-Smith has been charged with five counts of war crime murder, alleged to have been committed during his service in Afghanistan as a special forces soldier between 2009 and 2012

Naval milestone

As Australians across the country pause to mark the sacrifices made by the nation’s servicemen and women, veterans will also celebrate a key anniversary.

Former naval officer David Manolas was just 17 when he joined the Australian Defence Force in 1965.

David Manolas was a teenager not yet old enough to vote when he sailed off to Vietnam as part of Australia’s war efforts.

The former naval officer said he would never forget heading out on his first ship, the HMAS Sydney, at the age of 17 after joining the defence force in 1965.

“It was exciting to be going out to sea,” the Vietnam War veteran said.

“It wasn’t until many decades later we were to learn the health consequences of our service.”

“It was exciting to be going out to sea,” David Manolas says of setting sail for Vietnam. Photo: AAP

Manolas, the Naval Association of Australia’s president, will commemorate the service and sacrifice of his fellow veterans as the navy celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

“We do what we can to support navy veterans so that they may be settled back into civilian life,” he said.

The Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review in March was the largest gathering of international warships on Sydney Harbour in more than a decade, and marked the foundation of Australia’s navy.

Up to 30 ships from 19 countries participated in the event.

Retiring from full-time service in 2001, Manolas said he was envious of today’s young sailors and officers as the navy acquired new capabilities, including the promised nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

David Manolas helps support veterans in his role as president of the Naval Association of Australia. Photo: AAP

“As I’ve come to meet them, they have so much enthusiasm and there is a great deal of opportunity and so much the navy can offer them in a successful career,” he said.

“Everything is rapidly changing and that has always been the case. There’s never been a situation where things have been stagnant.”

On the significance of Anzac Day, Manolas urged the public to visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.

“It is an opportunity for us to give thanks and we encourage those to make their way to the streets of the city in observance and commemoration of the service gone before,” he said.

“Whether we are more mature or younger in age, we must never lose sight of that privilege.”

Sunset harbour service

A sunset tribute at the iconic Sydney Opera House marked Anzac eve. Photo: AAP

A poem written more than a century ago during World War I  provided a moving backdrop for an Anzac eve event.

The Ode of Remembrance is the fourth stanza of the poem For the Fallen, penned by English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and first published in September 1914.

The ode, recited by Anzac forces to honour wartime sacrifices, has been a staple of remembrance services since 1921.

As the sun set on Friday, its memorable words “at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them” rang out across the Sydney Opera House.

Crowds have filled the Sydney Opera House forecourt for the Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute. Photo: AAP

Ahead of nationwide Anzac Day events on Saturday, thousands of people, young and old, gathered at the harbour forecourt to remember those who lost their lives serving their country.

A full orchestra and featured artists including Patricia “Little Pattie” Amphlett performed as rowboats carrying Surf Lifesaving volunteers from various clubs dotted the harbour and military ships sailed past.

Bagpipe-playing veteran Warrant Officer Andrew Iverson also performed as part of the solemn event.

Former governor-general and defence force chief Sir Peter Cosgrove was among those in attendance.

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—AAP