5/6C’s Class Blog 2008

In November most of our grade six student will be heading to our national capital, Canberra, for four days of looking, learning and laughing as they see the sights and attractions of this special city which was designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin.

Some of the highlights of the tour will be Anzac Parade (in the foreground of the photo), Old Parliament House (in the centre of the photo) and New Parliament House on the low hill behind that, topped by the massive flagpole and a flag which is 12.8m by 6.4 metres, or roughly the size of a double decker bus!

Other highlights of the tour include a visit to Telstra Tower, Questacon, the National Museum and the Australian War Memorial.

Image: The house that Australia built
Originally uploaded by Teon

Anzac Day is a very special day in the year of Australia and New Zealand. On this day, we remember the men and women who fought for our freedom and that of other countries.

The Australian War Memorial website describes Anzac Day as: “… probably Australia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day. “

Early on the 25th April, 1915, the troops of Australia and New Zealand landed on the coast of Gallipoli, Turkey.  You can read more here.

 There is a wonderful blog written ninety years ago (the wonders of modern technology!) by Private Harry Lamin. Letters he sent from World War One are posted on the blog on the 90th anniversary of their origin, as are the letters he received from home. The letters are real and we don’t yet know how the war will end for Harry – fascinating and recommended reading.