Crowds of more than 5000 people attended the special Australian Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France, while more than 10,000 people were present at the Dawn Service at Gallipoli, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today. Mr Griffin, who delivered the commemorative address at Villers-Bretonneux, said he was pleased to see so many Australians at the service.

"90 years ago - to the day - thousands of brave Australians fought in one of the turning points for the war on the Western Front, at the very site where we gathered today to remember them," he said. "Today's service was a very moving tribute to all Australians who have served our country at home and abroad in wars, conflicts and peace operations."

Mr Griffin said the Dawn Service at Gallipoli was well attended, particularly by younger Australians.

"Gallipoli is a significant part of Australia's wartime history and it is great to see the many Australians who travel each year to experience Anzac Day at the place where the Anzac spirit was born more than 90 years ago," he said. "It is important that younger Australians learn about and appreciate the Anzac tradition, which is embodied in our current Australian servicemen and women."

Mr Griffin said crowds at both Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux were well behaved. Both sites will be restored to their pre-Anzac Day state, with work already begun at Gallipoli. The Australian National Memorial site will be cleared within the next few days after community services on 26 April.

"I would like to thank most sincerely the people of Turkey and France for welcoming Australians to their countries for our Anzac Day commemorations," Mr Griffin said. "The people of France and Belgium, and Villers-Bretonneux particularly,
have shown great hospitality to all Australians. For the past 90 years they have honoured our Australian men who fought
along the Western Front as part of their own Anzac Day commemorations. Their gratitude is truly humbling to our nation.

"On 28 April, I will be attending a ceremony in Be'er-Sheva, Israel, to dedicate a new memorial to the Australian Light Horsemen and Park of the Australian Soldier," Mr Griffin said. "I am looking forward to attending the dedication with seven World War II veterans who have travelled to Israel as part of the official Australian Government mission party, and to hear their stories of their service with light horse units."