Anzac Day
A day to slow down and reflect
The Anzacs.
I wrote a note to my adult children yesterday. Both were born in the UK but raised here in Australia. It made me happy that they remain conscious of Anzac Day and its importance on the local calendar. One said, “Nice to slow down and reflect.”
Reflection is so relevant. Here’s what I found, and a question worth sitting with today: how did we detach so far from what they stood for?
In 1915, official war historian C.E.W. Bean described the Spirit of ANZAC as standing for “reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never own defeat.”
The world that produced this no longer exists.
Before Gallipoli, before federation even, the spirit was already present. If there were rumours of trouble, someone would saddle a horse and ride off to help. No committee. No self-interest. No calculation of what was in it for them.
Poet Laureate John Masefield described the ANZACs as possessing “humorous, swift decision.” Three words.
Everything that is missing from the current world order in six syllables—well, you could argue the ‘swift’ part remains. Today, we see leadership retreat into isolation, self-interest, and the threat as a negotiating tool. Borders are the answer.
Yesterday remains a worthy day. I’m glad for that.
Nick
Attribution notes:
C.E.W. Bean — official Australian war historian, quoted directly
John Masefield — British Poet Laureate, quoted directly