Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA – Though it is only five letters, it represents so much.
ANZAC Day, which stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, is not just a public holiday but a day of commemoration, of respect for the many men and women who fought and worked for our nation.
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Since 1916, on each April 25, Australians and New Zealanders have gathered to remember our defense forces. That’s the date when Australian and New Zealand soldiers set out on the renowned expedition at Gallipoli during World War I.
To honor them, Australia and New Zealand people march for those lost and those who have returned home, forever changed by the horrors of conflict.
This year, the citizens of Queensland’s capital marched through the rain, as an unexpected downpour rolled in, but this did not stop thousands of Aussie people from turning up to the many ANZAC services held Friday morning.
The Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School opened their doors to hold the procession.
The two-hour ceremony began with a traditional march through the streets, with school groups, Scouts, Girl Guides, politicians and several members of the army taking part.
Considering the heavy rain, it seemed likely that there would be few people in attendance, but hundreds of people joined, umbrellas in hand and raincoats shrugged over their clothes.
While the rain did not affect the number of people, it did affect the venue as the service was meant to be held outside. Instead, people squeezed into the Camp Hill school’s sport center.
Despite a change of location, the service went on as usual with the traditional wreath laying, the last post, a minute of silence, the recitation of several poems, ANZAC songs and of course, the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
Many organizations took part in these traditions, but the standout throughout them all was the number of students involved.
Maija Sudmals, a member of the Girl Guides from Camp Hill, said she “grew up in a small town so it was nice so see lots of schools represented.”
Some of the many schools that showed up include Iona College, Lourdes Hill College, Mayfield State School, San Sisto College, St Martins Primary School, Whites Hill State College, Loreto College and host school Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School.
With so many young people involved, ANZAC traditions are successfully being passed down to new generations and the respect for the past and present men and women of war will continue.
The ANZAC spirit is yet to be lost.
ANZAC means a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it reminds them of the relatives that they lost in the first and second world wars, or of the mates that they never got to talk to again after the Vietnam War.
For others, it reminds them of their children currently employed in the defense force, far away and helping our nation.
For Sudmals, ANZAC day means “celebrating all of the people fighting for peace around the world” and not just the Australians and New Zealanders but the allies in other countries.
It means, she said, “remembering past relatives that were in the war.”
Lest we forget.
Emily Hilton is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
