2026 Calendar of events
25 April Anzac Day
FFFAIF has traditionally supported AWWOD organising descendants’ participation in the Sydney Anzac Day March.ABC Radio coverage of the Canberra Dawn Service and National Ceremony will be heard on local ABC Radio, RN and on the ABC Listen app from 5.30am – 6.00am. This will incorporate a minute’s silence at approximately 5.50am to synchronise the dawn drive-way vigils.
TV broadcasts of Sydney Dawn Service, Canberra Dawn Service and National Ceremony and Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance Service will all be live from 4.30am AEST on ABC TV and ABC NEWS channels, on iview, and streamed live on ABC Australia Facebook and YouTube.
State TV broadcasts of capital city marches and dawn services will also be streamed live on ABC capital city Facebook accounts and on the ABC’s capital city local radio websites.
Every capital city will have live coverage of a local march, however coverage of capital city dawn services will vary in each state. Broadcasts times can be found on the ABC Anzac Day website.
Gallipoli Day /ANZAC Day services will be held in the UK, including:
a Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner and later the annual Service of Commemoration with a wreath laying at the Cenotaph followed by a Service held at Westminster Abbey;
Baverstock, Codford, Fovant and Sutton Veny on the Salisbury Plain; and at about 15 other locations in England and Scotland;
Also at the Menin Gate, Ieper; and
Fromelles FranceSaturday 23 May Australian Western Front Association, Gallipoli Association, Fromelles Association, FFFAIF Lecture Day
Sunday 19 July Fromelles Day Commemoration in Sydney at the Anzac Memorial and
Melbourne Wreath-laying at the Shrine of Remembrance and Ipswich in QueenslandSunday 26 July Pozieres Service St Columba Woollahra TBC
Saturday 26 September Commemoration of the Battles of 3rd Ypres
Monday 19 October War Widows Day
Saturday 7th November FFFAIF AGM and John Laffin Memorial Lecture Day
Venue: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney and AGM On-line Zoom MeetingWednesday 11 November Remembrance Day
-
Recent News
- Fromelles Day 2026 – Commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles 19 July 1916
- DIGGER 94
- VALE Dame Marie Bashir: Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir, AD CVO
- Patron-in-Chief Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
- DIGGER 93
- 2025 FFFAIF Annual General Meeting and John Laffin Memorial Lecture series
- DIGGER 92
- Fromelles Day 2025 – Commemorating the 109th anniversary in Sydney of the Battle of Fromelles 19 July 1916
Category Archives: Events
Mates in Life and Death
Corporal Fred Livingston and Private James Gordon were members of the 29th Battalion when they were posted to the Western Front, as part of the 8th Brigade, 5th Division AIF. Photo: Corporal Fred Livingston [AWM H05737] This photo has been … Continue reading
Gratitude
The battles of The Great War had many devastating effects on those who took part directly and indirectly in the conflict. One of the very positive outcomes of the conflict is the strong bond established with the French people through … Continue reading
Our THANKS go to………
Our THANKS go to…………….. Lambis Englezos and those who assisted him for their untiring efforts throughout the years to ensure that the recently completed archaeological dig at Pheasant Wood near Fromelles took place. Lambis Englezos was the driving force behind … Continue reading
Cemetery re-dedication
The small English village of Compton Chamberlayne can be found just a short distance from Salisbury in Wiltshire. During the First World War twenty eight members of the AIF, who died while stationed at nearby camps, were buried in the village burial ground. … Continue reading
Commemorative Tour
“Lest We Forget” Project FFFAIF member, Mike Goodwin, a History teacher at Mackay North State High School, is currently organising his school’s 5th overseas commemorative tour to Thailand, Gallipoli, France / Belgium and Singapore. This tour, the Remembrance 2008 … Continue reading
New Website
The Committee is proud to announce the listing today, Australia Day, of the new website for The Families and Friends of The First AIF Inc. on the internet.
Twilight at AWM
During January 2008 the Australian War Memorial Canberra provided the opportunity on three occasions to visit the Memorial at twilight. On each of these evenings the Memorial closed with a special Choir performance by Sing Australia, followed by the playing of either … Continue reading
FROMELLES Book Launch
Author Patrick Lindsay gave an insight into his most recent book FROMELLES at Mosman library on Wednesday 5th December 2007. As part of his research and background for the book Patrick Lindsay interviewed FFFAIF members Neville Kidd and Chris Bryett. Both … Continue reading
Book Auction
Craig Laffin, son of the association’s Founder John Laffin, kindly donated a selection of books from his father’s collection for auction to raise funds for the John Laffin Travel Fund. These books were successfully auction recently on eBay. The Committee … Continue reading