ANZAC Day

Australians celebrate ANZAC Day on the 25th of April every year. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Australian and New Zealand soldiers came from different places, homes and cultures. Australian soldiers are called Diggers.
ANZAC Day reminds us about some events that took place in the First World War. Australia joined the countries which fought in WW1.
Among war heroes Australians are especially proud of Simpson. There was a lot of fighting on the peninsula at Gallipoli, where a lot of soldiers from both sides died. Simpson found a donkey. He called the donkey Duffy. The brave man lifted the soldiers, who needed medical help onto the donkey’s back. Guiding the donkey and holding onto the man, Simpson set off for the dressing station.
A lot of people work in the army, the navy and the air force. They form The Defence Force. “Defend“ means “keep safe”. People in the Australian Defence Force keep our country safe and protected.
On ANZAC Day we remember the brave men and women who have served Australia in times of war. We remember especially all the people who have died or suffered in wars so that we might live freely. On ANZAC Day we have a special ceremony to show our thanks to these people.
The Ode is part of a special poem that is said during the ANZAC Day service. Here are the words:
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.
On ANZAC Day flowers and wreaths of red poppies are laid at the bottom of war memorials as a way of saying we have remembered these brave people. A war memorial is a place that honours all those who have died in wars.