ANZAC Day captured in 2015

The photographers brief was to capture both formal and informal aspects of the day - people involved in the ceremonies and spectators lining the streets.

In Sydney, the dawn service, the march through the city and the sunset service were photographed by Lyndal Irons and James Alcock. Events at Bigge Park, Liverpool were photographed by Louise Whelan and Singleton’s commemoration was documented by Jay Worling. ‘Camp Gallipoli’ at Moore Park, was covered by Gerrit Fokkema who, with great dedication, camped overnight.

Photographers were asked to show the pre and post march activities and to include the wider environment of streets, crowds, shops, advertising posters, ‘backstage’ areas and spectators taking photographs. In giving this brief, we were influenced by the kinds of documentary photographs that people value in our collection. Sam Hood’s photographs of early twentieth century Sydney, for example, are full of incidental detail.

Lyndal Irons noted her conversations with people she photographed. She met George and Kim Liu who were travelling home on the Inner West line. George explained;

Both Kim and I come from military families and Anzac day is a tradition that we participate in every year. We have been up since 4.30 am… I am currently attached to the Navy, and I participated in the March in the city with HMAS Kuttabul. In good traditions of Anzac days, we've meet up with friends (both service and civilian) from all parts of Sydney to enjoy a few quite moments together. The time of this photo was on our way home, Kim was showing me some of the parade photos, as my perspective would be quite different from hers.

 Lyndal also documented the crowds along George Street. She managed to find her way into parks and pubs after the formal ceremonies.

Also in the city, James Alcock, focused on close-ups of people who attended the march, bringing out some of the characters of Sydney.

Gerrit Fokkema produced some wonderful images of Camp Gallipoli, a one-off event where people paid to spend ‘a night under the stars’ in Moore Park. Gerrit was particularly interested in showing people who were using their smart phones and portable devices in the dark.

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Item 21: Singleton citizens at Dawn Service, Singleton, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Jay Worling

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Item 28: Jamidee Messina (cadet), Matthew Campbell and Chantel Spiteri pose for photo after breakfast in the foyer of the Club Liverpool, George St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Item 45: The 18th Battalion Living History Group pose in front of the Anzac monument at the Liverpool Anzac Centenary Commemoration Event, Bigge Parke, Bigge St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Item 57: The 18th Battalion Living History Group prepare for a World War I battle re-enactment at the Liverpool Anzac Centenary Commemoration Event, Bigge Parke, Bigge St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Item 18: Road Closed, Civic Ave, Singleton, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Jay Worling

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Item 14: An estimated 7000 plus watch the Dawn Service, Bigg Park, 124 Bigge St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Item 59: Andrew Parrott (stretcher bearer) helps Salih Alkan (Turkish Solider) prepare for a re-enactment by The 18th Battalion Living History Group at the Liverpool Anzac Centenary Commemoration Event, Bigge Parke, Bigge St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Item 64: The 18th Battalion Living History Group showing members of the public their WWI objects on display at the Liverpool Anzac Centenary Commemoration Event, Bigge Parke, Bigge St, Liverpool, NSW, 25 April 2015 / photograph by Louise Whelan

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Louise Whelan, documented the many activities that took place at Bigge Park, Liverpool, including soldier re-enactors, entertainers and a theatre production.

In Singleton, Jay Worling provided glimpses of a regional Anzac Day, focusing on marching bands, cadets and community atmosphere.

These images are examples of documentary photography that the Library continues to collect, with the aim of showing society, people and locations in New South Wales.

They provide a snapshot of life 100 years on from the Gallipoli campaign.

Elise Edmonds, Senior Curator, Research and Discovery