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The Wellington Cenotaph during the early morning hours of Friday, 24 April 2008. Over 1,000 people crowded around the memorial for the Dawn Service in recognition of ANZAC Day which commences with the firing of a Herald Gun mounted by 16th Field Regiment.
The three flags are those of New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia (left to right
This past Friday marked the 93rd anniversary of ANZAC Day, commemorating the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. The pride they took in that name endures to this day, and Anzac Day remains a very important annual commemoration for both countries. Today, ANZAC has come to stand not just for the troops in World War I, but for Australian and New Zealand soldiers in times of war.
As new Kiwis, we were really looking forward to learning more about ANZAC day. This was our first time attending the services and giving this subject the time it deserved, and we were rewarded with an educational and moving experience. As a devout pacifist, I am always torn by my emotions when it comes to war memorials. On the one hand, I hate that they ever needed to be built. But there is no denying their importance as both a reminder of sacrifice and bravery, and the desperate need for our species to move beyond violence as a tool for solving our problems. Around 500 war memorials are to be found across New Zealand.
The Battle of Gallipoli took place on April 25, 1915, when Allied forces were tasked with the invasion of Ottoman Turkey, a campaign that is now regarded as disastrous and extremely costly in terms of lives lost. In fact around 21,000 British died, 10,000 French, 8,700 Australians, 2,721 New Zealanders along with 1,370 Indians. On the Turkish side, losses amounted to around 85,000. This represents the highest percentage of casualties of any First World War campaign in which New Zealanders fought. Many more would be killed in other hot spots, with 12,483 lost on the Western Front. The landing site is referred to now as "Anzac Cove", officially renamed by the Turkish government on Anzac Day in 1985. Many thousands of Kiwis have made pilgrimages to Anzac Cove to pay their respects.
As new Kiwis, we were really looking forward to learning more about ANZAC day. This was our first time attending the services and giving this subject the time it deserved, and we were rewarded with an educational and moving experience. As a devout pacifist, I am always torn by my emotions when it comes to war memorials. On the one hand, I hate that they ever needed to be built. But there is no denying their importance as both a reminder of sacrifice and bravery, and the desperate need for our species to move beyond violence as a tool for solving our problems. Around 500 war memorials are to be found across New Zealand.
Atatürk Memorial is situated on a ridge above Tarakina Bay, Wellington. The Memorial looks out over Cook Strait and the site was chosen for its remarkable likeness to Anzac Cove in Gallipoli. This memorial can be seen on the Eastern Walkway which also delivers spectacular views of the coastline. For a more detailed look visit the Dawes Family site.
The Battle of Gallipoli took place on April 25, 1915, when Allied forces were tasked with the invasion of Ottoman Turkey, a campaign that is now regarded as disastrous and extremely costly in terms of lives lost. In fact around 21,000 British died, 10,000 French, 8,700 Australians, 2,721 New Zealanders along with 1,370 Indians. On the Turkish side, losses amounted to around 85,000. This represents the highest percentage of casualties of any First World War campaign in which New Zealanders fought. Many more would be killed in other hot spots, with 12,483 lost on the Western Front. The landing site is referred to now as "Anzac Cove", officially renamed by the Turkish government on Anzac Day in 1985. Many thousands of Kiwis have made pilgrimages to Anzac Cove to pay their respects.
The National War Memorial, also the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
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A Dawn-to-Dusk Vigil is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior by a Tri-Service Guard on ANZAC Day.
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There is a changing of the Guard every 15 minutes. Here, a New Zealand Air Force officer relieves a member of the Army Corps.
The Tomb is inscribed with a karanga that calls the warrior home, the journey guided by the stars of the Southern Cross Constellation.
Stacey's ANZAC biscuits were very tasty.
Stacey, now shares a bit about these special cookies...
Shortly after we moved to NZ, William and I tried a funny looking cookie from a cafe on Cuba Street. According to the barista, they were ANZAC biscuits. I had no idea what she was talking about and asked about the ingredients which do not include nuts, so we gave them a try. Delicious! Ever since that day, I have been obsessed with baking the perfect ANZAC biscuits myself. The problem is there are zillions of recipes out there. Some make very thin, chewy cookies. Some are thicker and crunchier. hmmm. I tried many different variations on the recipe, but was never truly happy with the results. (This did not stop us from eating all of them, unfortunately.) Until I made the cookies (above) this year. It is fitting that the best recipe came from the MāoriTV channel's coverage of the ANZAC holiday last year. What I have learned from my experimentation is that the Aussie version of the cookie is the thin, chewy one. The Kiwi version is the thicker, crunchier one which I like.
History of the ANZAC biscuit: Supposedly, the recipe for the biscuits was developed during the first World War. Naturally, Australia AND New Zealand each claim to have invented them. The cookies were made by women in both countries and shipped to soldiers in Europe. They were a long-keeping biscuit that could survive the passage by sea and still remain edible. During WWI, they were called 'soldier's biscuits.' After the Gallipoli landings, they became known as ANZAC biscuits. Most versions of the recipe feature oats, coconut, butter, and golden syrup. The recipes do not contain eggs probably because eggs were in short supply during WWI.
William says I should post the recipe, so here it is:
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Coconut
1 Cup Rolled Oats
pinch salt
100 grams Butter (1 stick)
2T Golden Syrup
1t Baking Soda
2T Boiling Water
History of the ANZAC biscuit: Supposedly, the recipe for the biscuits was developed during the first World War. Naturally, Australia AND New Zealand each claim to have invented them. The cookies were made by women in both countries and shipped to soldiers in Europe. They were a long-keeping biscuit that could survive the passage by sea and still remain edible. During WWI, they were called 'soldier's biscuits.' After the Gallipoli landings, they became known as ANZAC biscuits. Most versions of the recipe feature oats, coconut, butter, and golden syrup. The recipes do not contain eggs probably because eggs were in short supply during WWI.
William says I should post the recipe, so here it is:
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Coconut
1 Cup Rolled Oats
pinch salt
100 grams Butter (1 stick)
2T Golden Syrup
1t Baking Soda
2T Boiling Water
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Melt the butter and golden syrup together in a small pot over low heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the water and baking soda and mix in with butter & golden syrup.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Roll dough into walnut size balls and place on cookie sheet--do not smush!
- Bake at 180 degrees Celsius (350 F) for 15 minutes.
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