SixFootFive: ANZAC Day

The stuffed rodent in the centre is Finnegan - the ship's mascot for the HMNZS Endeavour. Amid the 20,000 people that attended the Dawn Service in Sydney's Martin Place on April 25, 2013, there was thankfully a scattering of New Zealanders, including these sailors. Why thankfully? In the few years I've been in Australia, and attended ANZAC Day services, it's exceptionally rare to have NZ acknowledged, in any form other than the singing of our (NZ) national anthem. For the unaware, ANZAC stands for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps - a body of soldiers that travelled half way round the world to fight for the liberation of Europe, amongst numerous other places. And for the record - twice. So, if you don't recognise the contribution that NZ made on ANZAC Day, you could always start calling AAC Day - but you'd sound silly, and it'd be awkward. On the topic of national anthems - I'm always proud when they play ours twice (and obviously, by 'ours' I mean the NZ anthem) - so it can be sung once in Maori (the NZ indigenous culture) and once in English - ticking two of the three official languages of NZ boxes. The third is sign language, and it'd be awesome to be able to sign along - it's got to be better than my non-existent ability to carry a tune. And people nearby would probably appreciate it as well. I asked why, when they do have an indigneous culture in Australia, they don't sing the anthem in the indigenous language. Apparently, because they have so many dialects that it would be too difficult. I think if you're singing in NSW, then why not a verse in Koori? In other parts of Australia, why not in Murri, Nunga or Wangai - paying tribute to the local people? Anyway - just a thought...

So I know that ANZAC Day was a few (*coughsevencough*) months ago.
It turns out that I started this entry and didn't get round to completing it - so here are a few photos from the Dawn Service at Martin Place.