THE Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 gave us the date and name of Anzac Day.
News of the landing saw outpourings of national pride, and it became clear that its anniversary was the appropriate day for commemoration.
Anzac Day was first observed on 25 April 1916, as people came together to honour those lost at Gallipoli.
Anzac Day was a fixture by the war’s end.
By the late 1920s, Anzac Day was a public holiday in every state and territory.
Despite greater numbers of veterans, the popularity of Anzac Day waned by the 1960s and many wondered if Anzac Day would survive.
The resurgence started in the 1980s and 1990s. The RSL had been slow to welcome ‘others’ – notably those who did not serve overseas, including most ex-servicewomen, and veterans of the ‘small’ wars.
With a younger leadership, it has relaxed the rules to be more inclusive.
Anzac Day has evolved into a day for Australians to honour their war dead and veterans, and show support for serving members of the Australian Defence Force.
THE ODE
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.
