Two nations, one dawn: Honouring ANZAC together

Before the haunting notes of the Last Post have sounded, and the Ode is read, a small group take their place in the shadow of the cenotaph.  

Hushed voices, bare feet on dewy grass, and a knowing glance. Then it begins.

The group fix their eyes on the crowd, moving together as one. Their hypnotic chants echo throughout the silent dawn. 

The performance is proud and powerful. Stamping feet (waewae takahia), bulging eyes (pūkana) and stuck out tongues (whetero) tell the story of their people.

In this moment, there is no divide. No Aussies versus Kiwis, or battle for the Bledisloe Cup. Just respect and honour. 

Bringing the Haka to Gracemere

For those that know husband and wife team, Anthony and Ruth Harris, it came as no surprise when they joined Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch in 2017. Anthony had not long retired from almost four decades in the Army, Ruth had dedicated three years to the Army Reserves, and both were raised in military families.

“Our blood well and truly runs green,” Ruth says.

Though a military man through and through, the inspiration behind Anthony's decision to volunteer dates back to the days of Ronald Regan. 

“I was watching an interview in the mid-eighties on Veterans Day and he said, ‘For our war dead, can we ever do enough? You can never do enough. But if you do the best you can, I'm pretty sure they will understand that.’ And so, we always try to do the best we can for our community and our people,” Anthony shares.

Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch President Anthony Harris

Since they started volunteering, Anthony and Ruth have planned many commemorative services, trying each year to incorporate something new to engage the local community and honour those who have served our country.

Having spent a large part of his career training Defence personnel, Anthony said he had developed a good understanding of what it takes to help people learn. 

“I was at Kapooka and Tully Jungle Training Centre as an instructor,” he explained.

“We try to invite a different guest speaker or include a different performance, or focus on a new theme central to ANZAC Day, so people can really get immersed in the stories of those who have served our country.” 

“That’s where the Haka came in.” 

A sign of respect

“It’s not a challenge like you see at the rugby, it’s a sign of respect,” says Letty Wilson, member of the Tu Te Awaroa Māori Culture Group.

The group was created in 2019 to keep the traditions of Maori and Pacific Island peoples alive and help locals reconnect with their culture.

The group is a well-known fixture in the Rockhampton region, renowned for their striking performances and strong community connections. 

Gracemere's ANZAC Day Dawn Service draws a large crowd

In fact, it was a chance run in with Sub Branch member and New Zealand expat Terry Henderson that led Letty and the group to connect with Anthony and Ruth and perform at the Gracemere ANZAC Day service.

“We were rehearsing by the river in Rocky when Terry approached us to have a chat. He thought it would be a great addition to the Gracemere service,” Letty shares. 

“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with the Sub Branch. It's about respecting those of both countries, New Zealand and Australia, and honouring those that have lost their lives.”  

Gathering at dawn

 More than 2,500 people attended the Gracemere Dawn Service in 2025, with road closures and dedicated marshals now the norm as crowds spill out onto nearby streets. 

“Every year, it blows my mind seeing the number of people that attend,” Ruth says. 

Veterans, community members, families and school children come together to pay their respects and acknowledge the sacrifice of our service men and women.

Now returning for a second year, the Haka has become an important part of the ceremony that represents our New Zealand allies. 

The Haka is performed as a sign of respect on ANZAC Day in Gracemere

“We have always had the national anthem, but this way when they [New Zealand veterans and expats] see the Haka, they feel close to home, they feel closer to their people. It's giving them the opportunity to display their tradition and honour Kiwi and Aussie soldiers,” Anthony says. 

Reflecting on their first performance at the service, Letty said she was surprised by the response from the crowd. 

“There was absolute stone silence. And everyone was full of respect. They were in awe. We said it was a Haka for mates and comrades appreciating each other,” Letty shares.

“It certainly had an emotional kind of feel to it. Initiating the ceremony and having that connection with the Gracemere RSL – it was a nice feeling, a nice connection.”

The ANZAC legacy lives on 

Thanks to tireless work of volunteers like Ruth and Anthony, and the contributions of community organisations like the Tu Te Awaroa Māori Culture Group, the Gracemere ANZAC Day service continues to grow and attract crowds of all ages. 

“The kids were coming up and saying that the Haka was amazing, and how can we learn how to do that,” Letty says. 

Floral tributes at the Gracemere cenotaph

“There was a lot of school children there last year. I was amazed at the number of kids that would get up that early in the morning for ANZAC Day. So that blew me away. I was really proud of that.”

Anthony said building relationships with local schools through RSL Queensland’s Postcards of Honour and Draw to Remember initiatives has played an important role in preserving the ANZAC legacy in their community. 

“What gets me is when we go to the schools – I'm absolutely amazed at how much the kids know about ANZAC Day and their appreciation of what soldiers have done."

“An 8-year-old girl came up to me one day and said, ‘You went to Afghanistan, didn't you, Mr. Harris?’ I said, ‘Yes, I did’. And she said, ‘Thank you for your service’."

Let’s show the ANZAC spirit lives here