First, the teachers painted our faces. Big Al, the leader of the Aboriginal group, said they set a new record, painting about 425 faces in 13 minutes! After that, each group rotated through the activities until we’d all had a go at everything. Then we came back together at the end for a dance and demonstration, as well as some yummy damper.

Then our grade had to go and empty the bins.

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.