Anzac Day Flag Protocol

Anzac Day is a day of great significance to many Australians, and especially for our serving military personnel and returned veterans. This important national day commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I, and has since expanded to remember all Australians who have served or given their lives in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Anzac Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and commemoration, and it is customary to display the Australian National Flag in a specific manner to honour this occasion. The flag protocol on Anzac Day requires that the Australian National Flag be flown at half-mast from dawn until noon in your locality, after which it should be raised to the peak of the flagpole for the remainder of the day. When lowering the Australian National Flag to half-mast, it should be raised to the top of the mast before being lowered to the halfway point.

Notes on flying the Australian National Flag at half-mast:

• The flag should be lowered to a position recognisably half-mast. An acceptable position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
• The flag should never be flown at half-mast at night, even if it is illuminated.
• When lowering a flag to the half-mast position, it should be raised to the top of the flagpole and then lowered ceremoniously to the half-mast position.
• When lowering the flag from a half-mast position, it should be briefly raised to the top of the flagpole and then lowered ceremoniously.
• When flying the Australian National Flag at half-mast with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
• The Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last.
• If flying the Australian National Flag alongside flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast its flag.

Anzac Day is a time to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for our country, and to honour their memory by displaying the Australian National Flag with dignity and respect.

In addition to the flag protocol, there are many other traditions associated with Anzac Day observed across Australia. One of the most well-known is the Dawn Service, which takes place at the crack of dawn and honours the soldiers who landed at Gallipoli in 1915. The service includes the playing of the Last Post, a minute of silence, and the laying of wreaths.

Other traditions include the Anzac Day March, where veterans and their families walk to pay their respects. Many Australians bake and eat Anzac biscuits, originally sent to soldiers during World War I. There is also the traditional gunfire breakfast, consisting of coffee and rum, which originates from the early morning rum ration issued to soldiers during World War I, which was followed by a cup of coffee.

However you commemorate Anzac Day, take the time to remember those who gave so much for our country.

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget