The school was well represented at our annual ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) day parades. The dawn parade and civic reception were moving events, as they are every year when New Zealanders and Australians pause to remember wars we've been involved in and their effects.I have always been really moved by the song 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda'. It was written by Eric Bogle but many have sung it. My favourite version is by June Tabor - an English folk singer with an amazing voice. If you're unfamiliar with it here is a great clip:
When I googled the song to get it's lyrics the internet sent me to pogues.com and on the sheet of lyrics it had a note about the last survivor of Gallipoli - Mr Alec Campbell. This in turn sent me to a BBC news report on Mr Campbell's death in 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1992483.stm
It was fascinating reading and thinking about him and realising that they have all gone now, all those soldiers who experienced Gallipoli - it is now an aspect of history. Something sobering about that thought.
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