One Sacred Day
By Margaret McCaffrey. Melbourne, VIC Thirty-four years after my father’s death, I drove one frosty morning in 2010 to Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. It’s a pyramid-shaped building keeping guard, sphinx-like, over the city. There, I joined the shivering, silent crowd huddled around the eternal flame for the pre-dawn service, as…
Keep reading
ANZAC Day Reflections
By Nancy Sortini. Adelaide, SA I was taught from when I was a young girl to observe ANZAC Day. I was the youngest of three girls. On the 25th of April, we would go to the local railway station, as we lived in the Adelaide Hills, and head for town.…
Keep reading
The Shepherd
By Terence Dingwall. Doonside, NSW My flock bleats gently in the night, my village steeped in slothful slumber. The stars above gleam faint and bright, do I hear the far off peal of thunder? I hope this means a chance of rain, as I hear distant whip-like cracks. Does the…
Keep reading
ANZAC
By Lesley-Anne Willott. Christie Downs, SA As blood red poppies dance in the wind, we promise to remember the boldOn that one fateful dawn back in 1915, where so many would never grow oldLife is so dear, but the worthy, must have courage to answer the callWith mettle and grit,…
Keep reading
Scarabs
By Terence Dingwall. Doonside, NSW In every battle that was ever foughtOne side’s hopes have come to noughtThe fields are strewn with those who diedFor death has scattered them far and wide For a few more hours peace has comeWith the long slow sink of setting sunPeace has come to…
Keep reading
a soldier’s prayer
By Steve Allen. Aldinga, SA Where I lay, my body stuckon this sodden ground,only my spirit can now move. My first battle was my last. I hardly drew a warrior’s breaththrough youthful lungs.The fierce roars of passionate mennow lay in utter silence.I hear them not. Wind picks up my soft…
Keep reading
The Photograph
By Alice Richardson. Elizabeth, SA Rose sat at the kitchen table cradling the little frame holding the photograph of her with her husband, George. On the back, written in his handwriting was, ‘Rose and me. Married 17th October 1940’. It was taken in front of the hedge in their backyard…
Keep reading
ANZAC Day Reflections
By Marion Pathey-Johns. Perth, WA Hundreds of young men from Australia and New Zealand died needlessly and painfully because Britain (Winston Churchill) directed them to land on the WRONG BEACH.
Keep reading
YOU’LL NEVER SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES
By Brian John Pollock, Brighton, VIC In 1966 I was called up for a two year stint of National Service in the Australian Army. After six months basic training I was posted to C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment. I spent the next 18 months as a crew member of a…
Keep reading