Anzac Day 2017

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Anzac Day 2017

The privilege of a life untouched by war is a rare and precious thing—and it has been our experience and that of our children. We have been surrounded by war in the way of all people in this modern age, but never have we felt its endemic depravations, nor has it taken anyone near and dear to us.

Every Anzac Day we reflect on that privilege—unearned but gratefully received. Today we’ll be attending services to remember the fallen and all who served. As always, we’ll hear a sprinkling of their stories and we’ll feel more connected, more grateful,...

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5 Anzac Day favourites to honour one of Australia's most important days

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5 Anzac Day favourites to honour one of Australia's most important days

ANZAC Day is named after the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli in World War 1—the 25th of April 1915. In Australia and New Zealand the day is commemorated each year and has become one of our most important national days. It’s a day replete with stories of valour, courage, kindness, and good natured shenanigans.

These five are by no means the only lovely books to read around Anzac Day but they are exceptional.

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armchair travel to spark 'remember when' conversations and grow wanderlust

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armchair travel to spark 'remember when' conversations and grow wanderlust

Set in Australia, one family and a caravan take it on the road!  Delightfully insightful look at family relations and the gorgeousness and diversity of Australia - through the eyes of a child.
ages 4 to 12 years 

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profound messages of kinship, connection, and shared love of country

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profound messages of kinship, connection, and shared love of country

ages 2 to grown-up
Some stories have a profound message – one that everyone needs to hear more than once – one that is just as relevant to a toddler as it is to the toddler’s grandpa. This isYou and Me Murrawee.

The story is told as the musings of a young girl – maybe 10 or 12 years old – who has a gift for seeing what is no longer present. 

The girl is on a family camping trip in the Australian bush and, as she plays and paddles and watches her family, she senses the life of an indigenous girl, 200 years ago, doing many of the same things she is doing. 

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a poignant look at growth that follows the storms and trials of a life well lived

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a poignant look at growth that follows the storms and trials of a life well lived

ages 8 years to grownup

"Carefully, she unties the string and folds back the brown paper. Inside the parcel is a pine cone."

Based on a true story, Lone Pine tells of a young soldier who is at Lone Pine with his brother while yet another brother is also at war elsewhere. The young soldier survives, but his brother doesn’t. 

This is tough stuff. It’s poignantly told and is full of sadness.  But out of the sadness there is also hope and love. The soldier sends a pine cone from Lone Pine to his mother. She treasures it of course and puts it away where it lies "not quite remembered, not quite forgotten." [The story is set in Australia and Turkey]

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the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

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the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

ages 5 years to grownup
Set in Australia. There’s something special about Anzac Day—the cool early morning spent standing with a crowd at the Dawn Service, family breakfasts, and of course Anzac Biscuits to nibble on all day.

And the sense of privilege and peace that comes with living in a free and protected country.

As is true of all war stories, Anzac Biscuits is pretty horrific, but a story that must be told: to remember history, to notice everyday blessings and to understand sacrifice. It does a particularly lovely job of the noticing everyday blessings and understanding sacrifice parts. 

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