Blog contributed by Linda Hepburn, Learning and Disability Advisor
Originally observed to mark the Gallipoli landings, ANZAC Day has been a focal point for remembrance since its inception in 1916. A public holiday means communities can take the time to stop and reflect on the sacrifice of generations of armed forces personnel who have served their country.
Check out the links for events and services being held in Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch. They’re a great chance to learn more about some of the conflicts that have involved New Zealanders.
One familiar part of any ANZAC ceremony is The Ode – part of a Laurence Binyon poem called “For the Fallen”. Click on the link to see both the Te Reo and English versions, plus a version for the 28th Māori Battalion and special preludes for the Merchant Navy.
To listen to the ode in both Te Reo and English and hear the haunting Last Post, check out the above link from Brass Whanganui.
Please remember that all Ara campuses will be closed on Thursday for Anzac Day.
Originally a day to remember the losses from the Gallipoli Campaign during the Great War (1914-1919) ANZAC Day has gradually taken on a wider focus around those who have and continue to serve in our armed forces.
The landing at Anzac; April 25th, 1915, by Charles Dixon,1915. Alexander Turnbull Library. D-017-010
At this time there are over 50 000 veterans who have served in such campaigns as the Korean and Vietnam War, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are also many more who have served in peacekeeping missions around the world and those who may have served for many years but not deployed overseas.
My medal rack for service in the MFO, Sinai Peninsula in the 1990’s
FYI: here is a diagram showing the correct place to wear medals if you are thinking of wearing yours or a relatives this ANZAC Day. Note that a relative’s medal set should be worn on the right hand side of your body…people often get this wrong.
From all of us here at Ara Library and we wish you a pleasant and peacefully ANZAC Day holiday.
All ARA campus will be closed on Monday 25th April for the ANZAC Day holiday. The Library will reopen at 8am on Tuesday 26th April.
ANZAC Day is in remembrance of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gabe Tepe/ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. Over the last 100 years it has become the day of remembrance for all those who have served in the New Zealand Defence Forces and those who continue to serve to this day.
New Zealand MFO Observers in the Sinai
ANZAC Day has a new significance now as we currently have over 30 000 veterans under the age of 50. Since the late 1980’s Kiwis have served with distinction in the Sinai Peninsula, Lebanon, Kosovo, Iraq, East Timor, Cambodia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Bougainville, the Solomon Islands and many, many more.
ANZAC Day Parade in Cramer Square, Christchurch
New Zealand has a proud history of support for United Nations peacekeeping missions and we have current missions in eight nations including support for NATO in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Whatever else you do on ANZAC Day please spare a thought for our veterans.
…at the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them…
How to commemorate ANZAC day
Before COVID, attending the dawn parades and services were common place – however this year, these have all been cancelled.
So, how can we remember those who sacrificed so much? Well, here is some ideas:
Heritage Highlights: The history & culture of the Canterbury Aviation Company – Tuesday 26 April 2.30pm to 4pm
The brainchild of entrepreneur, politician and aviation visionary, Henry Francis Wigram, the Canterbury Aviation Company at Sockburn, just outside Christchurch, created a flying school which began operations in 1917 on the first proper aerodrome in New Zealand. During its life, over 150 pilots from across New Zealand were trained for service overseas, though only a few saw operational service. Relatively little in-depth original research or historical examination has been done on how the school functioned or the experiences of those who trained and worked there.
Come and listen to Simon Moody (Research Curator at the Air Force Museum, Wigram) discuss how the school operated and existed within local society during the First World War and much more!
Attendees are welcome to arrive for a cuppa and chat before the talk begins at 2.30pm.
Redwood School students artwork features in this month’s community display at Redwood Library. A tribute to Anzac Day, the artwork displays a vibrant use of crayons and watercolours.
The World Wars in Miniature Displays & Memorabilia Monday 25 April 11am to 3pm at St Nicholas Anglican Church, 231 Barrington Street
Models and memorabilia display of World War 1 and two battles. The Somme, France, North Africa, and Pacific. Memorabilia from NZ, Australia, Britain, USA, Japan, Germany, Italy. Find out more.
Anzac Day Walk and History – 20 to 27 April
This is a self-guided walk through the Richmond Red Zone. Start from Avebury House and explore the Richmond Red Zone, including a special ANZAC installation of crosses and local bios by the Ōtākaro-Avon River. Approx distance: 1km Download the map No bookings are required. Find out more. (Part of the Walk Waitaha).
Book talk – Alan Woods ‘Without the Nasty Bits – a True Account of Courage and Determination from World War II: a Soldier’s Story
Eighty years after World War Two, encouraged by his father’s stories of survival and determination, a son travels to Poland to follow his father’s experiences as a soldier and a Prisoner of War.
Sunday 25th April is ANZAC Day here in New Zealand. All branches of the Ara Library be closed on Sunday the 25th April & Monday the 26th April. We will reopen at 7am on Tuesday 27th April.
ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at ANZAC Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. It is also our national day of remembrance for all those who have served or are serving in our armed forces.
The Memorial Garden at the Madras Campus, Ara Institute of Canterbury
ANZAC Day 2021 will be particularly poignant as people will once again be able to gather together to commemorate the day. The Returned Services Association (RSA) led service in Christchurch will start at Cranmer Square at 06.30 and should conclude around 07.30 in the morning. There will also be a citizens service at 10 am at the Transitional Cathedral.
The ANZAC Day parade in Christchurch in 2019
This Anzac Day is important to me personally as 2021 is the 100th anniversary of my old military unit the Royal New Zealand Corp of Signals. From June the 1st we have a series of events planned to celebrate this anniversary. New Zealand will also be commemorating the 175th anniversary of the formation of the Royal New Zealand Army this year.
Swift and Sure…the RNZ Signals motto…
From all of us at Ara Library have a peaceful ANZAC Day …lest we forget.
This Saturday the 25th of April, 2020 is ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day is the public holiday we have in New Zealand to honor those women and men both past and present who have served in the military services of our nation. Many did not return home so it only right that we remember them.
A large crowd in the Strand, London on the first official Anzac Day in April 1916. (Getty Images)
ANZAC Day 2020 will be very strange indeed…because of the Covid 19 outbreak and subsequent lock-down this will be the first time since 1916 when there will be no public celebrations of the day anywhere in New Zealand or Australia.
The New Zealand Returned Services Association (RSA), Australian Returned Service League (RSL) in concert with both local and national authorities are promoting an alternative to the usual Dawn Service.
At 0600 hours on Saturday the 25th April they would like all New Zealanders & Australians to stand at their letterbox, at the end of their driveway, in their front yard or in their lounge as a way to commemorate the day.
A national remembrance service will be broadcast by Radio New Zealand online and on the radio for those who wish to listen in.
This will truly be in the spirit of the ANZAC tradition as this event will be happening in Australia with the exact same format.
Join myself and the many millions of other Australians and New Zealanders both at home and around the world who will Stand at Dawn this Saturday.
Lest we forget…..
Please note that as ANZAC Day falls in the weekend this year Ara Library will be closed on Monday the 27th April but will be back from 8 am on Tuesday the 28th.
All campuses of Ara Institute of Canterbury will be closed over the Easter break. We will also be closed on Thursday 25th April to observe the ANZAC Day commemorations.
The following are the hours at our City campus, Madras Street campus.
Our Library Services at Manawa campus will be closed from Friday 19th April to Friday 26th April. Normal services resume at Manawa on Monday 29th April.
Our Library Services on the Timaru campus will be available on Wednesday 24th April and Friday 26th April from 8am to 5pm over the Easter break. Normal library hours will resume from Monday 29th April at Timaru campus.
This year is unique because Easter Weekend and ANZAC Day are separated by only one workday. Most businesses, tertiary providers and government departments will therefore be open on Wednesday the 24th April and Friday the 26th April.
The Library’s normal hours of operation at City campus, Christchurch will resume from Friday 26th April.
From all of us in the Library, we hope you enjoy your break!
On the morning of 25th of April 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Since that day, Australians and New Zealanders have gathered to remember and show gratitude to the men and women who fought, and in many cases died, far from home.
ANZAC Day however is about not only commemorating Gallipoli, World War One and World War Two. It also remembers New Zealand service members who have served in all the subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping efforts. It remembers those personnel who continue to serve in distant locations to this very day.
New Zealanders have taken part in over 50 different operations since the end of World War Two. These have ranged from large conflicts in Malaysia and Vietnam, peacekeeping in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Solomon Islands and Timor Este to individuals working as part of small multinational peacekeeping groups.
There are approximately 41,000 kiwi veterans, nearly 30,000 of these veterans have served as peacekeepers. New Zealand currently has over 250 service members in 11 different operations across the globe.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these brave citizens who represented their country and strove to help others in often difficult and dangerous circumstances. This ANZAC Day I urge you to consider their sacrifice.
Lest we forget.
You may like to take this opportunity to spend some time in The Memorial Garden at Ara, which was opened by our CEO Tony Gray in February. “In the days ahead I hope all at Ara and our many visitors can experience this garden and reflect on the remembrance images and words inscribed on the pillars, recalling the sacrifice of all past students and staff in the service of their country, ” said Tony.
The chosen pillar designs are the work of our Ara Art and Design students – Abby Marriott, Madison McPherson and Grace Duval – along with Ara alumnus and artist Dallas Matoe. Their designs are cut into the six weathered Corten steel pillars that mark out the garden, and at night they are lit internally from above.
Wanting to view some movies and documentaries about ANZAC forces, eTV has some resources available, such as Anzacs in the Face of War and The Dick Henderson Story for Ara students and staff to access.
Please also note that all Ara Libraries will be closed today, Wednesday 25th April but normal after hours access will apply to campuses.
We are now 101 years on from the first Anzac Day commemorations in 1916. These services were held on the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landings of 1915.
Anzac Day 1916, Petone (Photo: Archives New Zealand, AAVK W3493 E8206)
Over the decades, Anzac Day has changed. Services have become more secular, and now involve many families and community groups along with former and serving members of the armed forces. The first Anzac Day services were held in churches and halls. As memorials were built throughout the 1920s, many services – particularly dawn services – moved outdoors.
More wars have happened (and are happening), and we now remember those who served and died in the Second World War, Malaya, Korea, Vietnam, and many others, along with UN peacekeeping missions. Over the years Anzac Day has been the focus of anti-war, anti-nuclear, and anti-violence protests. It has been commemorated by Australians and New Zealanders all over the world, including Gallipoli. New migrant New Zealanders commemorate their own histories of war and sacrifice.
Anzac Day can mean many things. For some, it is a time to remember a relative or friend who died. For others, it is a time to reflect on the futility of war. For others, it is a time to gather as a community and remember what people have fought and died for.
Whatever Anzac Day means to you, I encourage you to attend a service at least once. There are lots happening in and around Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton, and Oamaru.
Ara libraries will be closed for Anzac Day on Tuesday, 25th April.
This ANZAC Day, April 25th 2015, marks one hundred years since the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) first landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Many special commemorative events will be held throughout Christchurch to mark the event.
The following information is from the Christchurch City Council community events page.
Dawn service
The dawn service will be held in Cranmer Square.
6am–6.15am: the people gather
6.15am: the parade begins
6.30am: the service begins centred around the memorial cenotaph
7. 15am: the service concludes with wreath-laying
Organised by the Canterbury Branch of the Malayan Veterans Association in conjunction with the Christchurch Branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RSA) and Christchurch City Council.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel will lay a wreath on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch.
Citizens’ Service: 10am – Christ Church Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square
Organised by Christchurch City Council in conjunction with Christchurch Cathedral and the RSA. It will be attended by representatives of the Defence Force, Consular Corps and various Christchurch youth groups.
Ara Library Blog 
