Thousands of Australians across the country pause to mark Remembrance Day

"Remembrance Day is a day to honour veterans. It doesn't matter which battle, which conflict - the same uniform has been worn," he said in an address to veterans in Melbourne ahead of the ceremony.

"The same honour has been lived up to. We are safer today because of your efforts, we are free today because of your efforts."

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrive at the Shrine of Remembrance, in Melbourne Source: AAP

Services were held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and cities across the country.

"We do not gather today to glorify war. Indeed, 80 years ago today the then-governor-general said that when people leave this place they must utter, 'never again, never again'," Matt Anderson, director of the Australian War Memorial, said in Canberra.

The event at the War Memorial was capped at 500 attendees.

Mr Anderson, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, paid tribute to what Australian troops had achieved in the country, months after the Taliban swept back to power.

“Following the fall of Kabul in August, much has been said about Afghanistan and the merits of our longest war,” he said.

“Some have even suggested that the 43 lives recorded on the Afghanistan panel of the War Memorial roll of honour must have been in vain.” 

Remembrance Day 2021 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Thursday, November 11, 2021.

Mr Anderson said this was not the case, and it was impossible to measure Australia’s accomplishments in Afghanistan. 

Troops were sent to capture the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, he said, and “stayed, as ordered, redeployed, as ordered, to counter the continued threat of terrorism, and over time, to mend and reconstruct”.

“Albert Einstein once said, not everything that counts can be counted,” he added.

“I think some of our best successes are actually going to be in the people we bring home and hopefully in the pride they will have in the job they have done. 

“Today, we remember those who have served, suffered and died in all wars and operations, and those left behind. It was not in vain, if we remember. It was not in vain, because we remember. It was not in vain, since putting service before self never is.”

Veterans Affairs Minister Andrew Gee also acknowledged the importance of welcoming home those who fought in Afghanistan. He said Remembrance Day was one of the most important days of the year.

"We must never forget the courage, valour and sacrifice of all those men and women who have served this nation in war, conflicts and peacekeeping operations," Mr Gee said. 

Penelope Twemlow in Sydney Source: SBS News/Lucy Murray

In Sydney, the Opera House was lit up with images of red poppies at dawn in honour of the 60,000 Australians who died in WWI.

Korean War veteran Ian Crawford and wife Cathy Crawford are glad to be able to remember in person this year. They missed last year’s Remembrance Day due to COVID-19. @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/mKYs4bHZjW

Veteran Dennis Davis, now 101 years old and who said he "answered the call" to serve in WWII, attended a memorial in the Sydney CBD.

Navy Commander Penelope Twemlow was also at the event.

“For me, it is about recognising those that have fallen before us,” she said.

With AAP, Caroline Riches and Lucy Murray.

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