Sydney Anzac service draws record crowd of 25,000

SYDNEY - A record 25,000 people have attended the Anzac Day dawn service in Sydney today.

Martin Place in the heart of Sydney's CBD was packed to capacity this morning as young and old gathered to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war.

The official ceremony, which began at 4.30am at The Cenotaph, had special significance today, marking 90 years since the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli in 1915.

This year's service also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in August 1945 and the fall of Saigon, which ended the Vietnam War, in April 1975.

A large screen was used to televise the events at The Cenotaph to the people at the top of Martin Place who were too far away to see the ceremony.

Major General Ken Gillespie gave the Anzac address, and paid tribute to all who served in war for Australia over the past 90 years.

"When we look back we can see ... our military forebears have set in place a very proud and enviable record of achievement," he told the crowd.

"Their legacy to us includes very high benchmarks in idealism, of the need to allow everyone to have a fair go and compassion, of moral and physical courage and hanging in there when times are tough, and of course of mateship."

The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including NSW Premier Bob Carr.

Mr Carr said he had never seen a crowd of this size attend the dawn service before.

"The estimate is upwards of 20,000 people, which is a record," Mr Carr told reporters.

"I think that reflects the valuable teaching of Gallipoli... and also reflects the intense interest of the 90th anniversary of the landing."

Fifteen-year-old Melissa Forest, wearing her great grandfathers' war medals, said she had attended several dawn services and would continue to do so as a tribute to her relatives and those who worked so hard for a free country.

"I think it's really important that we carry on this tradition because it is these people that made Australia a free country," she said.

World War 2 digger Ritchie "Blue" Blunt said he was impressed at how many young people attended the service.

"I'm feeling a bit out of it because there are so many young people here," he said.

"It's good to see the young people involved."

- AAP