Lest We Forget Dawn Service Anzac Day 2013

Lest We Forget

 

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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.

ANZAC Day, April 25th, is one of Australia's most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I, and has also come to represent the sacrifices of all men and women who serve in the ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) defence forces.

The 25th of April was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. It was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. During the 1920s ANZAC Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. By the mid 1930s all the rituals we now associate with the day were firmly established as part of ANZAC Day culture.

 

On ANZAC day there are a number of events which you can attend in order to show your respect to all Australian and New Zealand veterans including dawn services, the veterans march, local school parades, commemorative breakfasts and formal luncheons.

This year, as well as attending the traditional ceremonies, why not try some of these other unique ways to commemorate ANZAC day:

* Volunteer at the Australian War Memorial and help keep the legacy of the ANZAC's alive.

*Give your time and assist in a local service on Anzac Day.
More opportunities and event locations can be found here.
*Write to an Australian soldier overseas and thank them for their sacrifice, devotion and loyalty.

*Make a donation to the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund, Legacy, Soldier On or any other RSL associated fund.

*Become a community visitor at an RSL veterans home. Spend time with a veteran, listen to their stories and provide them with companionship.

*Bake ANZAC Biscuits, Hard Tack and other traditional Australian ANZAC day foods. Share your spoils with friends, family and the people in your community.

*Raise a Glass at a local RSL, club, bar, restaurant or BBQ and talk to those around you about the ANZAC memories you hold close to your heart. This will help the ANZAC legend live on, as inspired by the VB Raise a Glass Appeal.

*Plant wild rosemary, wattles, poppies and other symbolic plants with your children to show them that ANZAC day means taking care of the beautiful Australian environment which the ANZACs have ensured we can continue to enjoy.

However you choose to observe this significant Australian date, ANZAC day will long represent a time of respect, reflection and reverence and is an important occasion to pause and consider those impacted by the effects of war, and the nations shared hopes for a more peaceful future.

 

Paying respect to Australia's service men and women

Photograph by Greg O'Beirne /Wikimedia Commons

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service is a solemn and moving ritual, attended by many ex-service men and women, their families and by ordinary Australians in towns and cities across the continent on the 25th of April each year. But how many people know where the tradition of the dawn service began?

The dawn service is a tribute to both the time of the Gallipoli landings which occurred at dawn and the military tradition of 'standing to'.

In war, dawn and dusk were common times for launching an attack or indeed repelling the attack of a foe. Therefore daily at this precarious interval soldiers were required to man their post with weapons at the ready for what may await. These were times of day when soldiers were alert and prepared but also alone with their thoughts.

Dawn services took place in towns around Australia prior but the generally accepted first organised ANZAC Day Dawn Service took place in 1928 at the Sydney Cenotaph, located in Martin Place. The inaugural event was attended by about 150 people.

The inception of this dawn service however can be traced to a group of veterans on the ANZAC eve of 1927. Heading home through Martin Place in the early hours of the morning, they came across an elderly woman laying a wreath at the not yet completed monument. They joined her in her grief and vowed to begin a tradition.

Last year 12,000 people attended the dawn service at the Sydney Cenotaph and paid their respects to the men and women who have defended Australia and who have represented Australia in peacekeeping missions.

Sydney BrickShow School Holidays

 

 

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The April School Holidays look set to be all about LEGO, with David Jones and Sydbricks (a group of Adult Fans of LEGO - or AFOLs) set to host The Sydney Brick Show at On Seven at David Jones, between Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 28.

The event will showcase creations built by talented LEGO builders from Sydney and the rest of Australia, but you won't just be looking at the works. There will also be a number of hands-on opportunities, including interactive exhibits and displays and free building areas.

Workshops are also scheduled to take place with Ryan McNaught, known at 'The Brickman', who is one of only thirteen certified LEGO Professionals in the world. However, these have proven so popular they have all already sold out (but keep an eye out for information on another special guest set to appear on the closing weekend).

A special, catered event is also scheduled for opening night, on Saturday April 20, from 6.00pm. It will include talks, games, a charity auction and a chance to meet the exhibitors and see all of the displays away from the crowds. Booking details for this event have not yet been released.

Another special feature of The Sydney Brick Show is a children's building competition that is currently being held. Up for grabs are 20 family passes to the show and the chance for kids to have their work displayed alongside the rest.

To enter, as an individual or in a team, kids need to create their own LEGO design and follow the instructions for submitting a photo of it found here. There are two competition categories - Junior Builders (6 to 10 years old) and Intermediate Builders (11 to 16 years old) - with ten winners in each. Entries close at 11.59pm on Saturday April 6.

Tickets to The Sydney Brick Show are available online. Entry costs $10.00 for adults (anyone 13 years old and above) and $6.00 for children (but kids 2 years and under are free). You can also get Family tickets (two adults and two kids) for $26.00.

Entry to The Sydney Brick Show takes place in sessions and there are five sessions per day at 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 4.00pm. Make sure you book your spot in one before these sell out too.

Sydney Carnival: Doncaster Day or Sydney Cup

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Sydney Carnival: Doncaster Day or Sydney Cup
Of course you can go to the races any time and it isn't expensive, provided you haven't bet everything on the nag that came last in the fifth. But there's something about the carnival atmosphere of the big race meetings that's hard to beat. And in Sydney it doesn't get any bigger than the Sydney Carnival. Organisers pull out all stops for these events with celebrity marquees and exclusive entertainment packages that are beyond the reach of a lot of people.

Enter Royal Randwick with options that will give you a unique racing experience without breaking the bank. With the Corona Beach Casa Infield Paddock you get to spread out your picnic rug in the centre of the track, with views of the racing, a big screen, entertainment, and food and beverage outlets.

Image from Sydney Carnival website.

Details

When: Doncaster Day Saturday 20 April, Schweppes Sydney Cup Day Saturday 27 April. Gates open 10am. First race 11.45am
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse
Tickets: Cost $25 and are available online here.
More Information: Visit the website here or download a precinct map and raceday information here.

Sydney Monorail Last trips

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Families and friends are invited to come and check out the many fun activities while riding on the Sydney Monorail’s last ever school holidays journey.
After 25 years of service as an iconic landmark and Darling Harbour attraction, Sydney Monorail will close forever on 30 June 2013. People travelling on the Monorail can make their own special memories as they take a ride on the last April school holiday rounds.


From the excitement of Paddy’s Markets and Chinatown (Paddy’s Markets station) to the Luminous interactive light show at Darling Quarter playground (Convention station), the stunning views from Sydney Tower Eye (City Centre station) or The Australian Museum’s Alexander the Great: 2000 Years of Treasures exhibition (Galeries Victoria station), the Monorail is the perfect way to get about the city these school holidays.


Families can go crackers with hands-on contraptions at Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum (Paddy’s Markets station) or spend the day discovering all things nautical at the National Maritime Museum (Harbourside station) – there is no end to the activities to be enjoyed along the Monorail route these holidays.

To add to the unique Sydney transport experience and to commemorate the Monorail’s 25 year history, Sydneysiders and visitors can view the Sydney Monorail Merchandise, 25 Reason to Ride, Current Highlights, What’s On and Competitions by visiting Monorail's website.

Travel options include a single loop or passengers can make a day of it with a Monorail Day Pass. From only $9.80 for single or $24 for a family of four, a Day Pass includes unlimited travel plus discounted entry to ten of Sydney's best attractions: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye, Captain Cook Cruises, Powerhouse Museum and National Maritime Museum and many more.

Also included in every Monorail Family Day Pass is a free souvenir Eye Spy Up High activity fun sheet where families can test their knowledge of the city as they enjoy farewell Monorail trip.  This activity sheet highlights 25 sights for families to spot while they fly above the city for one last time.
Don't miss the opportunity to farewell Sydney Monorail in the April school holidays.
Sydney Monorail operates daily every 5 minutes.

Open 7am – 10pm Mon – Friday, 8am – 10pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.