ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp soldiers who landed on the Gallipolis Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of April 25th, 1915 during the First World War, this day is very special to Aussies and Kiwi’s.  There are many wonderful stories of courage and mateship, and traditions like the diggers march to the Shrine of Remembrance and the dawn services that are held in town centres all around the country. 

Cries of “come in spinner” can be heard as diggers play Two Up in the RSL.  Two Up was played in the trenches and, although illegal now, is permitted on Anzac Day.    Traditionally players surround a ring and take turns at being the ’spinner’; ‘come in spinner’ being the call for another spinner to come forward into the ring. The game is managed by a ‘boxer’ who oversees the game and betting and a ‘ringy’ or ringkeeper who looks after the coin tosses in the ring. The spinner offers a bet, which is matched. He then tosses two coins up into the air using a paddle known as a ‘kip’. If the coins are both heads (Heads) he wins, if they are both tails (Tails) he loses and if they are one of each (Odds) he throws again. The boxer takes a commission out of the kitty that the spinner wins. The other punters place side bets.

And then there are the legends, like Simpson and his donkey, a brave stretcher-bearer with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli. He landed at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915 and, on that first night, took a donkey and began carrying wounded from the battle line to the beach for evacuation. He continued this work for three and a half weeks, often under fire, until he was killed.

On Friday morning my Dad, husband and son will be heading off at 5am to attend the dawn service and then we all gather at my sisters for a huge BBQ breakfast around 8am.  It’s a great day and by lunch time we are all a little tipsy and ready for a nap.   

Before I go I want to share with you a poem that reflects just how I feel about this special day, so get out your tissues and enjoy…

ANZAC Day

I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day - he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.

And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.

The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today - all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there - it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.

The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.

For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son - for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.

The kid looked up at the Digger - just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today - this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.

D. Hunter
(A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2)