ANZAC Day
- Silvia W
- May 23, 2024
- 4 min read
April 25 was ANZAC Day and I think it deserves its own post because I did so much on this momentous day.
First, a little bit of a history lesson. I learned these things from my Australian History class. In 1901, Australia officially became its own country but they were still very culturally British. There was no strong sense of Australian nationalism, only a common loyalty to the Crown. That changed in World War I, when Great Britain called on Australia and New Zealand to send soldiers, and the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was formed. This corps of volunteers was sent to Gallipoli, Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire) where they were met with a much stronger force than they were expecting and there were many casualties.
Suddenly, Australia had something to rally around: the ANZAC spirit of courage and "mateship." ANZAC Day was born and it still happens annually, honoring the fallen soldiers of not just the World Wars but all conflicts in which Australian soldiers have fought. I would liken it to Memorial Day in the US. Fast forward to a few years ago, and the traditional national day in Australia was facing some controversy. Australia Day, observed on January 26, marks the day the First Fleet arrived on the continent. It also marks the day when Aboriginal people began to be pushed out of the land they had occupied for 60,000+ years. Not at all something to be celebrated.
So these days, most Australians recognize ANZAC Day as the national day.
Now, that you know some context, I will share the things I did to recognize the occasion!
I woke up bright and early at 4:30 am for a dawn service at the University of Sydney Quadrangle. Dawn services were happening all over the city and probably the country. All of them are a memorial service with certain traditional procedures, but they each have their own emphasis. For example, the one I attended had a lot of talk about the University of Sydney Regiment (made up of students) who were sent to Gallipoli.
The ceremony began with an acknowledgement of country, an acknowledgement that we were standing on the traditional land of the Gadigal nation. Then, a small group of soldiers entered and stationed themselves around a flame, where they stayed for the rest of the ceremony. The national anthems of both New Zealand and Australia were sung. There were lots of readings, some playing of the bugle, some playing of the bagpipes, and then it was over. It was a somber event, but a beautiful service.
Later in the morning, Olivia and I watched the parade. It started with Active Duty soldiers in the Australian Armed Forces, then reservists, then veterans. I am pretty sure there was even one WWII veteran. Interspersed between all these were troops of scouts (not boy scouts but whatever the Australian equivalent is), pipe and drum bands, and marching bands! Most of the marching bands played the song "Waltzing Matilda." Others played traditional English marches, but one marching band proudly played "Down Under" by Men at Work. Quite iconic of them, I would say.
Also, for those who don't know, the Cavalier Marching Band wears hats that we call Aussies. See below for a comparison with the actual Aussie military! It's really just one side of the brim is folded up on both of these, in case you can't tell.
After a morning of reflection and recognition, the rowdier traditions began. Around noon, we went to a bar to observe the ANZAC Day tradition of two-up. This is the crowd that it draws:
I only have a rough understanding of the game but I will try to explain. Basically, the person in charge places two coins on a wooden plank, flips them, and everyone bets on whether they will come up heads or tails. And the bets can get up to some quite hefty sums. It was hard to watch for too long though, because I had zero interest in betting, and if you're not betting, well... it's just coins flipping. Plus it was hard to find a place in the crowd in the first place.
The final stop of the day was the ANZAC Day rugby match - the biggest sporting event of the year in Sydney. A friend and I hopped on a bus to Allianz stadium to see the Sydney Roosters take on the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Having been to other rugby games in the same stadium, it really was impressive how many people were there. Whereas at other games, there is almost no pregame activity at all, this game had lots of things going on before the actual game. The New Zealand and Australian national anthems were sung. A riderless horse with backward boots in the stirrups (to represent the fallen soldiers) was walked around the stadium. The flags of Australia and New Zealand as well as the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag were flown half-mast. And finally, the game ball was flown in by a helicopter. Lots of ceremony for an eager crowd.
^^ They play this same song at UVA (and many other US university) sporting events. The urge to yell WAHOO-WA was strong.
To be honest, I don't remember much of the game itself, because I was very tired from having been up so early and I do not understand rugby. But I know I will remember my ANZAC Day in Australia for a long time.
So what food will you miss most when you come back?