Just before dawn on Anzac Day on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkiye, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Lachlan Youll played the Yidaki, or didgeridoo, as part of the annual commemoration ceremony.
First, the karanga, the Māori call to gathering, was delivered by women of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Shortly after, the deep resonant sound of the traditional Indigenous Australian wind instrument echoed across Anzac Cove. Its sound created an atmosphere of reverence and reflection for those attending in person and those watching from afar.
WO2 Youll's participation in the Anzac Day ceremony was not only a testament to his dedication to his military career and his cultural roots, but also a homage to the diverse backgrounds and culture of the Anzacs who landed at Gallipoli 110 years ago.
WO2 Youll was born in Brisbane with family ties to Bidjara country, and grew up in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
He attended Paddington Primary School before completing his schooling at Waverley College.
Not long after school, WO2 joined the military. He followed a legacy of service that started with his grandfathers from both parents, who served in World War 2 in the Middle East, and Kokoda in Papua New Guinea.
His father served in the Australian Army in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and his brother is a current serving member in the Army.
'I am proud of my Aboriginal heritage but also very proud to be serving the nation.'
WO2 Youll has played the Yidaki during other official events such as an Australian Embassy opening in the United States and on operations in East Timor.
He said playing the Yidaki at ceremonies like this bridged the gap between traditional Indigenous practices and the modern-day commemoration of military history.
"I am proud of my Aboriginal heritage but also very proud to be serving the nation," WO2 Youll said.
His instrument, used for thousands of years by Indigenous Australians for ceremonial purposes, added a profound layer of cultural significance to the event and was a powerful reminder of the unity and inclusivity that characterises the modern Australian Army.
As the Yidaki's tones reverberated through the historic site, it served as a moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all those who have served, embodying the spirit of the Anzacs and the enduring legacy of camaraderie and respect.
"It was such an honour to open the ceremony with the Māori and to pay our respects in a traditional manner," WO2 Youll said.
Later in the day, he travelled to Lone Pine to pay his respects to Australian diggers before the start of the Anzac Day ceremony there.
