7 Little Known Facts About Anzac Day
Posted by Maris on 20th Feb 2024
Given the awful weather on Anzac Day, I was thrilled to have so many families and students show up to represent us and pay their respects. We appreciate all of the parents that braved the relentless rain instead of curling up under the blanket covers to honor our diggers; without your support, we couldn't accomplish this.
Anzac Day wasn't celebrated at school the way it is now, and most kids didn't even understand why April 25 was a public holiday in the first place. Education and culture have evolved since then. These days, there is a lot more respect for Anzac Day in our society and our children are educated why it is observed. It is a day to remember the costs of war in the hopes that we won't have to go through it again, not a day to glorify war.
The history and significance of Anzac Day are taught as part of the curriculum at Glasshouse Christian College, but I thought you would find these seven lesser-known facts about the day intriguing.
Gallipoli is not a town
There is no city or town named Gallipoli, just as there is no town named Noosa. The famed ancient Troy remains are not far from Gallipoli, the site of the Anzac battles.
Anzac biscuits were square
Traditionally, Anzac cookies were square in shape and so hard that it was reported some men had cracked their teeth eating them. They were occasionally ground and used to fry as fritters, thicken stews, or make porridge. The biscuits we are more familiar with today were first provided as rations, and only afterwards were mothers, spouses, fiances, and girlfriends making and sending them.
Aboriginal Australians were not allowed to enlist in WW1
Many Aboriginal Australians falsely claimed to be white in order to enroll even though they were not legally permitted to do so. Although it is estimated that approximately one thousand of them participated during World War One (of an estimated 80,000 indigenous people), their involvement is sadly still hardly acknowledged.
Alec Campbell was the last surviving Anzac
Alexander William Campbell was the last living Anzac; he died on May 16, 2002. In 1915, at the age of sixteen, Campbell enlisted in the army and spent two months fighting in Gallipoli as a goods carrier. In 1916 he was invalided home and released.
All Anzacs were volunteers
Australia did not impose conscription, in contrast to the other nations involved in World War I. Australians who served in the First World War volunteered to fight. Billy Hughes, the prime minister, attempted to impose conscription twice: in 1916 and 1917, there were two conscription referenda. The "no" vote cost them both.
The word “Anzac” is protected
Australian law protects the term "Anzac," and using it improperly can result in up to a year in jail or a hefty fine. According to the Protection of Word 'Anzac' Regulations 1921 (Cth) (the Regulations), authorization from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs is necessary if you want to use the word 'Anzac' or any word that sounds similar in an official or corporate setting.
Origin of Anzac acronym
In 1915, the staff of Major General William Birdwood in Cairo came up with the acronym ANZAC.
It is imperative that our pupils uphold the Anzac Day customs. When they have their own children and take them to Anzac celebrations in the future, I hope they will follow the example you set by taking them to parades and services.