A long time ago, there was a big war called World War One. Many countries had to fight. Australia helped other countries in this war. Australian men went far away from home to fight. They were called soldiers. The soldiers were very brave. They wanted to help keep people safe. Many soldiers did not come home. We remember them every year on a special day called ANZAC Day.

When World War I began in 1914, Australia decided to support Britain. Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed a group called the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). One of their most famous battles happened at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915. The soldiers landed on the beaches on 25th April, but the fighting was very difficult. Many brave ANZAC soldiers lost their lives trying to capture the area. Even though they didn't win the battle, the ANZAC soldiers showed great courage and mateship. This is why we celebrate ANZAC Day on 25th April every year to honour their memory.

During World War I, many Indigenous Australians wanted to serve their country, despite facing discrimination at home. Although government policies initially restricted their enlistment, hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men managed to join the Australian Imperial Force. They served alongside non-Indigenous soldiers in major campaigns including Gallipoli, the Western Front, and the Middle East. These Indigenous soldiers demonstrated exceptional courage and skill, with many receiving military honours. However, when they returned home, they often faced the same racial discrimination as before the war. Sadly, their contributions were largely overlooked for decades, and many Indigenous veterans were denied the same benefits as other returned soldiers. It wasn't until recent years that their service has been properly recognised and celebrated as an important part of Australia's military history.