THE P RTAL
June 2014
Australia Pages - page 9
Anzac Day
A Day of Remembrance and Gratitude
Why Anzac Day has become so important
by J.T. Stockman
Australia’s early
history was built upon the traditions and historical patrimony that came
with the immigrants: first from the United Kingdom, and then from Europe, and then from many other
countries of the world. It is these peoples who have made Australia the wonderful country that we have today.
ANZAC day, 25th April, is the most respected Public
Holiday in Australia and New Zealand. On this day,
the people of both nations pause to focus on the depth
of gratitude owed to the service men and women who
paid the supreme sacrifice during military conflicts
in which their countries have been involved. (The
acronym ANZAC is derived from Australia and New
Zealand Army Corps.)
The Gallipoli campaign [25th April 1915 - 16th
January 2016] in the First World War is generally
considered as marking the birth of national
consciousness in Australia and New Zealand. The
campaign cost Australia 8,141 lives and 19,441
casualties, and New Zealand 2779 lives and 4,752
casualties. Many more succumbed to illness and
disease.
but rather, reverently to acknowledge the debt of
gratitude our peoples owe to those who have died,
been wounded or served so selflessly in our countries’
theatres of war, to afford us the freedoms we enjoy. The
first commemoration was held, unofficially, in 1916,
at churches in Melbourne, Brisbane and London,
before being officially recognised as a public holiday
in all Australian states in 1923. The day also became a
National Holiday in New Zealand in the 1920s.
Organised marches by veterans began in 1925. That
same year, a service was held on the beach at Gallipoli;
two years later the first official dawn service occurred
at the Sydney Cenotaph. In succeeding years, dawn
services have been held in all Australian State Capitals
and suburban and country towns throughout the
country. Since the 1980s it has become popular for
Australian and New Zealand tourists to visit Gallipoli
The Church came to Australia with the First Fleet. The and to attend the dawn service on the anniversary date.
Church was also very much involved in the Gallipoli Thousands have made pilgrimages to the site over the
campaign even before the troops left the shores of their years.
home lands. In Australia and New Zealand there have
This year, the 99th anniversary of the landing, the Duke
always been Chaplains to the Forces: representing the
and Duchess of Cambridge, at the conclusion of an
mainline Churches.
immensely popular and warmly received tour of New
When troops were required in the various theatres Zealand and Australia, made a surprise appearance at
of war, Chaplains were always embedded with the the dawn service held at the National War Memorial
forces to maintain morale and to provide pastoral care in Canberra. Their presence represented Elizabeth
especially when men were lost in the various battles. our Queen, who is Queen of the United Kingdom,
Chaplains provided funerals and offered prayers and but also Queen of Australia, as well as Queen of the
support to all who remained to carry on the fight for Commonwealth.
freedom. The Church continues this tradition as part
Australia is considered a secular country with
of our armed forces even today.
no established religion, even though the Christian
The date of the landing remains the most significant faith would certainly be in the majority. Where
commemoration of military casualties for returned it’s possible, at all ANZAC Day ceremonies, local
service men and women of both countries, surpassing chaplains to our armed forces, and chaplains to our
even Remembrance/Armistice Day