ANZAC Day 2026
- Bob Hunter
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Anzac Day remains one of the most important days in our calendar. It is a day to honour service across generations, to remember those who did not return, and to recognise the enduring bonds forged through shared experience in demanding and often unforgiving environments. Those bonds — of trust, loyalty and mateship — are the foundation of our Regiment and of this Association.
Since the last Anzac Day, we have lost 33 of our fellow SAS veterans. Each name represents a life shaped by service, by shared experience, and by enduring bonds of mateship. Some passed quietly, others after long battles with injury or illness, but all remain part of our community. We pause to honour their service, to remember them with respect, and to acknowledge the loss felt by families, friends, and mates who continue to carry them in memory.
In recent months, many members and families have felt the weight of public scrutiny and ongoing legal matters relating to service in Afghanistan. The Association has deliberately communicated with restraint and care during this period. We have done so because matters before the courts must be allowed to proceed without prejudice, and because our responsibility as an Association is not to debate allegations in public, but to support our people and preserve the integrity of the wider SAS community. This disciplined approach is about protecting members, families and mates — now and into the future.
Anzac Day allows us to lift our eyes beyond the present moment. Over many decades, in numerous operational theatres and difficult circumstances, SAS soldiers have served Australia with courage, professionalism and commitment. That record of service belongs to generations of men and women who did their duty, often quietly, and returned to carry the effects of service long after operations ended. Nothing can take away the shared pride in that service, nor the respect owed to those who served honourably alongside you.
This day is also about care for one another. Anzac Day can be uplifting, but it can also be confronting. It is a time to check in on mates, to include families, and to remember those who carry physical or unseen wounds. For some, it is a day of grief as much as pride. The Association encourages all members to look out for one another, to reach out, and to offer or accept support when it is needed.
Across every state, branches will gather to commemorate, reflect and reconnect. You are encouraged to attend, to share stories and memories, and to stand together in a way that honours service with dignity and respect. Anzac Day is not about politics or debate — it is about remembrance, camaraderie and belonging. The Association exists to look after its people. That purpose has never been more important. On this Anzac Day, we remember the fallen, honour all who served, support those still carrying the weight of service, and reaffirm the strength of our community.
Lest we forget. Who Dares Wins.
Bob Hunter National Chair
Mob: +61 413 045 355
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