Veterans and family members assist with delivery of International Anzac Day Commemorative Services
DVA is committed to ensuring the service and sacrifice of Australians in war, conflicts and peace operations is respected and recognised.
This year, veteran community volunteers will be playing a part in our nation’s Anzac Day commemorative services in Türkiye and France.
Current-serving personnel, veterans and family members, pulled from the 2025 Anzac Day Veteran and Family Delivery Pool - International Commemorative Services, will be accompanying and assisting our teams responsible for delivering Anzac Day commemorative services.
Our team in Türkiye will be bolstered by Australian Army veterans Shane Moy, former Signaller and Commando who deployed to Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan twice, and Annette Rudd, a former Signaller and Radio Operator who deployed to Afghanistan and Malaysia, who is a third-generation soldier in her family and spouse to a current serving Army member.
Annette is preparing for a uniquely personal experience, reflecting on “my service, my father’s service, my grandfather’s service, all my friends who have served overseas… it’s not just those who were there on the day in 1915, but it’s everyone who’s come thereafter.”
RAAF Reservist Kerri-Lee Beck represents the fifth generation of her family to serve in the Australian military, serving in Operation Accordion supporting activities in the Middle East region.
The connection to the military runs deep in Louise Bennett’s family. Both her grandfather and great uncle served in the Second World War and her partner has served with both the Australian Army and British Army.
Louise is enthusiastic those who support veterans are taking part. “For family members to be involved, I do feel we’re the glue that holds everything together.”
Gallipoli Scholars Ashleigh Witenden and Mitchell Agnew round out the Türkiye team.
Ashleigh poetically summed up her anticipation for the days ahead. “As the sun is rising over the Dardanelles, and that’s what they were experiencing in 1915, I think it’s absolutely going to change my worldview.”
Hear more of what our Türkiye team volunteers had to say in the videos below.
Matt Lamberth has carried on his family’s military legacy, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served in the Second World War and his uncle, a Vietnam veteran. Matt has extensive military service under his belt with the Air Cadets, Army Reserve, RAAF and the RAAF Reserves, where he was deployed as part of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
The former RAAF Leading Aircraftman is looking forward “to being out there representing Australia, in a sense, and DVA and veterans past and present.”
RAN veteran and current Reservist, Megan Banton, protected Australian borders in Operation Resolute, served in Operation Catalyst in Iraq and Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. Military service runs in the family for the former Leading Seaman with a partner and sister both currently serving in the ADF.
Megan poignantly reflected on “the look in their eyes” from those who have experienced a Dawn Service in Villers-Bretonneux, and understanding “the language and the tone they use when they say those few words”.
Leaving the Australian Army as SAS with the rank of Sergeant, Troy Simmonds had a comprehensive career in the ADF. He deployed on Operation Solace to Somalia in 1993, had multiple deployments to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was a member of the SAS counter terrorist team supporting the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Bernadine Bennett is the family member of a deceased RAAF veteran. Her late husband was a former Flight Sergeant, involved in numerous overseas missions, including Operation Vista in Malaysia and Cambodia, Operations Spitfire and Stabilize in East Timor, and Operations Catalyst and Slipper in the Middle East. Bernadine is a musician with the Townsville RSL Pipes and Drums band, playing at Anzac Day marches and services.
Scholar William Choy, from the Sir John Monash Foundation, brings his wealth of military history knowledge to the France volunteer team.
To listen to more from France volunteers Matt and Megan, click on their image above.
Those who have served and sacrificed or seen it through the eyes of those they love and support, represent the living embodiment of the Anzac spirit.
DVA is honoured to be a part of their Anzac Day commemorative journey.