Traditions

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

Australia Day

On 26 January each year, Australians come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about our country, and to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of.

Aiguillettes

Aiguillettes are gilded cords ending in gold metal tagged points, and are worn by officers to distinguish special and senior appointments.

Catafalque Party

A catafalque is a raised structure supporting a stand that usually holds a coffin to allow mourners to file past and pay their last respects. A watch or catafalque party was traditionally mounted around the coffin to ensure the safety of the body while it lay in state.

Colours, Standards, Guidons and Banners

There are four distinctive forms of Honourable Insignia currently in use by the Australian Army. Colours, Standards, Guidons and Banners

Dawn Service

The Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine that is still followed by the Australian Army today.

For the fallen

In most ceremonies of remembrance there is a reading of an appropriate poem designed to help the listener understand the experiences of service people and their relatives in wartime.

Gorget Patches

There are two types of gorget patch, both worn on the collar and identical in shape and colour, but with different design features.

In Flanders Fields

In most ceremonies of remembrance there is a reading of an appropriate poem designed to help the listener understand the experiences of service people and their relatives in wartime.

Lanyards

The practice of wearing lanyards, of various colours, on the right shoulder, applies to all members of the Australian Army except for Infantry Corps units and ‘A’ Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery who wear their lanyards on the left shoulder. Officer ranks colonel and above and senior Regimental Sergeants Major do not wear lanyards.

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day in Australia is an occasion to commemorate and remember all Australians who have died as a result of war.

The Broad Arrow

One of the oldest symbols of Government and/or Ordnance is the mark of the ‘Broad Arrow’.

The Last Post

The Last Post is one of a number of bugle calls in military tradition that mark the phases of the day.

The Ode

In most ceremonies of remembrance there is a reading of an appropriate poem. One traditional recitation on Anzac Day is the Ode.

The Pace Stick

The Pace Stick was used by Field Gun Teams to ensure correct distances between the guns on the battlefield, thus ensuring the appropriate effective fire. Regimental Sergeants Major carry a Pace Stick as a symbol of their appointment.

The Parade Ground

“Within the Australian Army, the Parade Ground holds a special symbolic representation of a sanctuary of a unit’s fallen soldiers and in line with this symbolism it is deemed “hallowed ground” and is respected as such”

The Red Poppy

The Red Poppy has special significance for Australians and is worn on Remembrance Day each year.

The Rising Sun Badge

Proudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Force in both World Wars, the 'Rising Sun' badge has become an integral part of the digger tradition. The distinctive shape of the badge, worn on the upturned side of a slouch hat, is commonly identified with the spirit of Anzac.