Why remembrance matters 110 years after first ANZAC Day Parade
As the number of ANZAC day attendees decreases year by year, Parade Chief Marshall Andrew Jennings explains the importance of honouring the parade that started in Brisbane during 1916.
Andrew Jennings stepped into the role of Parade Chief Marshall in honour of his father, a first Tranche National Serviceman who was a Marshall for a decade, a Deputy Chief Marshall for a further 11 years, and Parade Chief Marshall from 2018 until his passing in 2021.
“When I got asked to take over from Dad, it was an honour in itself because it was like a legacy, but I never fought – I was never in any of the defence forces,” Jennings, who oversees the yearly Brisbane Anzac Day Parade, explains.
“I thought it was going to be a challenge because the veterans might have thought ‘well, what do you know?’” Jennings said. “But it’s about giving back to the veterans and making sure their experience of being honoured in the march is still continued.”
In 2026, ANZAC Day marks 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy, 111 years since the Gallipoli landings and 11o years since Australia’s first ANZAC Day Parade, which took place in Brisbane on April 25 1916.
“Unfortunately, what’s happening now is obviously a lot of associations are getting smaller, but we’re just trying to get the younger generation to come and see the march, because it’s the original ANZAC Day march.”
“We obviously haven’t been in any wars or conflicts recently, but we need to keep remembering why those people went and fought in wars to help develop Australia into what we are now.”
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Social media has played a big part in bringing the ANZAC Day Parade to the younger generation, Jennings explains.
“It’s interesting because there’s more of the younger generation coming out now. A lot of people go to the dawn service and then they will stay for the march as well,” he said.
The parade itself is a massive production – this is where Jennings’ experience managing large construction projects such as the Ipswich motorway corridor, comes in handy.
While the dawn service takes place in ANZAC Square, the parade staff and 100-odd volunteers begin to set up in the CBD at midnight and finish at 6:00 am.
“We work with Brisbane City Council and the police, who then have a traffic control company who will set up all the road closures for the dawn service,” Jennings said.
At 10am the Premier opens the march – a tradition started by Premier Christopher Foley – before the march itself kicks off at 10:03 am.
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“The march starts at the corner of Elizabeth and George Street and it continues all the way down to Adelaide Street, turns right into Creek Street and they disembark down at Creek and Elizabeth Street,” Jennings said.
The first group to march sees World War II veterans accompanied by flag bearers, honour guard and a QPS mounted contingent, while the second group consists of defence service nurses and representatives from Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps Association.
“We have the honour guard, who this year will be the Royal Australian Navy,” Jennings said. “We’re slightly different from other states in that we rotate every year to let each service walk first because we believe everyone who’s fought should have their own honour every third year.”
Following groups include the Royal Australian Artillery Band, Army associations, the Royal Australian Regiment Association QLD, Navy associations, Air Force and associations, and allied forces associations. The last two groups – there are ten – are made up of descendants of passed veterans and youth organisations.
“Within the city itself, we’d probably get at least 5,000 to 10,000 general public attendees,” Jennings explains. More than 2,000 serving Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, veterans, descendants, youth organisations and community groups are expected to take part as well.
Once the march concludes, pack up begins – and usually ends around 3:00 pm.
For Jennings, who has been working on the parade since 2018, alongside his wife Sharon, taking part in the event is all about giving back to those who have served.
“It’s still honouring them and looking after them, but it’s a continuation. We just need to look after each other and make sure we can still live in an amazing country.”
The 2026 ANZAC Day Parade in the Brisbane CBD will take place this Saturday April 25, starting at the corner of Elizabeth and George Street at 10:03 am. Find more information on the ANZAC Day Parade website.
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