Locals Gather to celebrate the ANZAC Spirit
As Locals parade the streets of New South Wales for a special centaury remembrance of our fallen soldiers others are up in arms about no public holiday, writes Kathleen O’Connor.
Thousands of people lined Bailey Street today to pay respects to those who served in the war all those years ago.
From 1915 to 2015, the energy and sorrow were shared across men, women and children of all ages.
“I came to watch my Pop march,” says 5-year-old Thomas.
Thomas’ mum Susan says that her father has been marching for years. “This march is particularly special to him because it’s been an 100 year tradition, and he hasn’t missed one in over 20 years.”
ANZAC day doesn’t just commemorate Australian’s and New Zealanders who fought in Gallipoli, but all soldiers who fought in all wars.
ANZAC was a name given to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in Gallipoli during World War I.
According to the ANZAC day commemoration Committee of Queensland, “As a result one day in the year has involved the whole of Australia in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all our men and women who have fought and died in all wars.”
For some others, the 25th was all about whether or not they got a day off work.
ANZAC day is traditionally considered to be a public holiday, but this year it falls on a Saturday so people couldn’t get the day off work.
In an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Greens MP David Shoebridge argues that ‘ANZAC day is a national day of respect and remembrance and that everybody should be entitled to the day off.’
“Anzac Day should be treated with the same respect as every other public holiday in the NSW calendar and deliver a guaranteed weekday off”, writes Shoebridge.
The New South Wales Greens have called for premier Mike Baird to declare April 27 a public holiday but Victoria and Queensland have stood firmly on remembering our soldiers on the original date.
Even though the dispute may have caused a public outrage, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those on Bailey Street keeping the ANZAC spirit alive.
