ANZAC Day

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.
– For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon

Today is ANZAC Day, which without a doubt is the most revered day in Australia and New Zealand, more so than our respective national days (Australia Day and Waitangi Day).

Today is the day when we commemorate those who didn’t come home and honour those who have, the day we thank those who have served and those who are. We know that peace and freedom do not always come without a sacrifice and we thank those who made that sacrifice.

World War I forged the Australian identity, as a federated nation we were only 14 years old at the beginning of the war. We sent 40% (330 000) of our male population to the war, they were all volunteers. 60 000 of these did not return. Australia had the highest casualty rate of WWI and New Zealand had the highest casualty and death rate per capita of any country involved in WWI. It was not a war that threatened either of our nations personally but as members of the Commonwealth we felt a duty to serve.

The Last Post
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We now pause for two minutes to reflect on the significance of the day and to show our respect to those who served. The idea of a minute’s silence is credited to Edward Honey, an Australian journalist in London during WW1 who published a letter in the Evening News on 8 May 1918 appealing for a moment of silence during the celebrations of the first anniversary of the Armistice (11/11/1918)

Rouse and Reveille
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Since this is not a Dawn Service, we follow the moment of silence with Rouse instead of Reveille which is played as the first call of the day.

Advance Australia Fair
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Lest We Forget

becoming creative

Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better.

— John Updike

This was the Real Simple thought of the day today and just thought it was so fitting with scrapbooking.

so fitting.

Sean and I were mucking about with my camera last night and the very last one was this one. Then I stumbled across the quote in the book I am reading at the moment – Abounding Grace (I love this book so much, I am going to have to buy it) It is quotes with thoughts and ideas by the collector, just so great.

It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” – Agatha Christie.

curious

Shirley MacLaine

The real simple thought of the day.

Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.
— Shirley MacLaine

We have to think positively otherwise we let the negative get us down again and again.