Anzac Day is a very important day for Australians and New Zealanders, probably one of the most important days in our calendar. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is a day of remembrance for the soldiers of both countries lost in war. It is a solemn day starting with either dawn or morning ceremonies in most towns of New Zealand and Australia. It is also a day where citizens of both countries feel united and patriotic, coming together as brothers and sisters to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their homelands. I attend an ANZAC ceremony every year with my family in New Zealand.
Most of our tour group were either New Zealanders or Australians and we were very keen to commemorate Anzac Day somehow, despite being far from home in a remote part of Australia. We were even discussing ways to hold our own ceremony. As luck would have it the Hotel Lufra, at Eaglehawk where we were spending the night was hosting an Anzac dawn ceremony the next morning. We were pleased.
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| The flag flying in commemoration ( note: most of the people were behind me) |
At 6.30am about 60 people gathered on the hotel lawn, some wearing military medals. The ceremony was simple and very moving. An ex military man gave a short speech, there was a minute's silence for personal reflection, the Australian flag was raised up the flag pole and the Last Post was played as the dawning sky turned the sea a soft pink. Then, as is also traditional, everyone proceeded to breakfast and I did spot a few hardy souls enjoying early liquid refreshments while sharing memories of lost relatives and the special camaraderie of their past military sevice.
For me and my fellow New Zealanders this was a very special celebration of Anzac Day. It was such a good feeling to feel so close to, and in tune with, our nearest neighbours in Australia.
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