ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 14 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the "ANZAC legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and future.

What does it mean today?

Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. Commemorative services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing – across the nation. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war. (Source)

Aussie Diggers

Today we honour and remember those who have served in the following conflicts:

Boer War 1899 -1902

China (Boxer Rebellion), 1900–01

World War 1 1914–1918

World War 2 1939–1945

British Commonwealth Occupation Force 1946–51

Korean War, 1950–53

Malayan Emergency 1950–1960

Vietnam War 1962–1975

Indonesian Confrontation 1963–1966

First Gulf War 1991

Afghanistan & Iraq 2001–present

Peace operations 1947–present

May those troops currently deployed come home swiftly and safely. 

Lest we forget.

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In 1998 I was a Venturer Scout (Scouts aged 14 to 17) leader and we took our Venturers down to the ANZAC Day Pde in Melbourne, so that the venturers could help carry the banners for the older diggers.  It was a 3 hours drive down to Melbourne and we had to be up at some ungodly hour in the morning to get down there.  But it was worth the journey.

Today I managed to watch the Parade on TV and I did see the banner our boys carried 10 years ago.  The venturers carried the banner for the Royal Australian Survey Corps.

The Royal Australian Survey Corps began in July 1915 at the Australian Survey Corps. The prefix 'Royal' was added to the title in 1936. The Royal Australian Survey Corps provided charts and maps for training and military operations of the Australian Defence Force. The Corps was disbanded in 1996 and was absorbed into the main section of the Australian Defence Force.

Venturers Scouts ANZAC DAY1998