Thousands mark Remembrance Day with minute's silence

Fallen Australian soldiers have been commemorated at Remembrance Day services across the country.

Thousands of people observed a minute's silence at 11am on Monday, 106 years since the armistice that ended World War I in Europe, a conflict in which more than 60,000 Australians died.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn remembered the more than 100,000 Australians who lost their lives in the Great War and later conflicts.

"Each year, we tender our tribute anew to the generations of servicemen and women who have died or suffered for Australia in conflicts far from home," she said at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Vietnam veteran Richard Norden was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest military honour, for putting his life on the line to save a wounded commander when his platoon came under heavy fire in 1968.

Announcing the award, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the 19-year-old private from Gundagai in regional NSW showed extraordinary courage.

Australians had given their lives to make a difference in the world, Mr Albanese said as he thanked all veterans.

"We remember every name, every face, every future lost and every future changed forever," he said.

Australia remembers the fallen "so we don't forget who we are", Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said.

Red poppies symbolise the armistice as the small flower began to bloom on blood-soaked battlefields across Europe after years of unprecedented slaughter.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Governor Margaret Beazley were among hundreds to commemorate at Martin Place in Sydney, joined by federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph.

After an RAAF aircraft flyover, the Sydney Male Choir and Army Band performed I Vow To Thee, My Country.

The Sydney Opera House was illuminated at dawn with pictures of poppies, which Defence Minister Richard Marles said had become a symbol of sacrifice and hope.

Melbourne's commemoration took on extra significance with a 3000-strong crowd marking the 90th anniversary of the Shrine of Remembrance, which was illuminated with the word 'love'.

Premier Jacinta Allan, Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Governor Margaret Gardner were among dignitaries to lay wreaths during the service that included a flyover and music by the Australian Children's Choir and RAAF Band.

RSL Queensland said more than 140 events would take place across the state, while its official service was held at Brisbane's ANZAC Square.

RSL WA called for DNA donations to help identify fallen soldiers from the 32nd Battalion, which suffered more than 700 casualties at Fromelles in France, where more than 70 bodies found in a mass grave are yet to be identified.

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