Aussie News - Issue 22 - August 2006
ANZAC DAY
The Australian day for commemorating Australia’s first foray as a country into a military conflict and remembering the soldiers who have served with such distinction in all conflicts since the First World War – ANZAC Day – was marked by the Australian High Commissioner and his wife at a small ceremony held at their residence in Floreal on 25 April. All Australian and New Zealand nationals, as well as representatives from the diplomatic corps and the Mauritian government were invited to attend.
This year marks the 91st anniversary of the Gallipoli landing after which more than 8,000 Australian troops lost their lives. 2006 is also the 90th anniversary of the arrival of Australian troops on the Western Front. Around the world, traditional services coincided with the pre-dawn hour the first Anzac troops waded ashore at Gallipoli in 1915.
In Canberra, the main dawn service at the National War Memorial attracted a crowd of 27,000 people, while a further 30,000 attended the Perth ceremony. The Mauritius service was more modest with around 60 people attending.
Guests were welcomed by the High Commissioner, Ian McConville, who outlined the significance of ANZAC Day, particularly for the younger generation and told the story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey who helped so many wounded soldiers. The ceremony also featured several readings, including the Prayer of Remembrance (read by Lynn Rayner), the Henry Lawson poem, Scots of the Riverina (read by Jacob and Jeremy Griffiths), and the recital of The Ode by Mike Plumb. The Commissioner of Police generously sent a bugler to perform The Last Post and The Rouse, whose presence added great poignancy and emotion to the one minute of silence as guests remembered the ANZACS. Lance Wickman and his family laid a wreath on behalf of New Zealand and Australian service men and women.
Following the service, the High Commissioner invited guests to join him for a gunfire breakfast which included sausages generously provided by the General Manager of Telfair, Richard Stedman.
• To read High Commissioner Ian McConville’s ANZAC Day welcoming address, please follow this link.
• To learn more about ANZAC Day, please follow this link to the Australian War Memorial website.