Hello everyone!
Happy Easter to everyone!
We have had a very busy two days, with the lead up to the dawn service and the services we participated in on ANZAC day. On the 24th we had a quick breakfast before making our way to the Gallipoli Peninsula via bus, ferry and foot.
We stopped off at Lone Pine, to drop off our formal uniforms for the following days service, where we met some of the organisers of the event before making our way down the Lone Pine track to Shell Green Cemetery which is located in a beautiful spot midway on the long walk to ANZAC cove. The area looks out over the peninsula and surrounding area, here we had our lunch and kicked the footy.
We then carried on walking down the track to Beach Cemetery, where John Simpson Kirkpatrick is buried, who was the famous Simpson and his Donkey and who was killed whilst rescuing a wounded soldier from the battlefield.
We continued on our way to the area where the service would be held. We were allowed in to pick a spot but soon had to leave again so the area could be checked for bombs. We then sat outside the security gates and waited for several hours before finally being let in at 6 o’clock.
Once in, we settled in for the night in high spirits despite having to adorn thermals and many layers of clothing to resist the cold, windy weather. During the lead up to dawn some people chose to get some sleep while others chose to wait out the long night and some had no option but to stay awake.
We were entertained by our cobbers and a program of historical documentaries and music from the World War One era. Throughout the night there was a very patriotic but solemn atmosphere, with thousands of proud Aussies and Kiwis packed into the designated area, joking around and continuing the larrikinism demonstrated by the Australian soldiers during the Great War.
One of the high points of the lead up was being interviewed by Sarah from Channel Nine. Some of the students who were awake at the time along with Bumblebee (Mrs Walkerden) and Mr Croft, who was asked about the importance of ANZAC day and about Jonty’s thoughts on the importance of being at Anzac cove for the service. This can be viewed on the Channel Nine website (http://today.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx?videoid=c230fd7e-85cc-450b-87f4-98a00790b3ef )
At 4:30 a.m. any group member that was still asleep was awoken as all people on the grass had been asked to sit up to allow more people into the area in preparation for the upcoming service. The sky began to lighten when the service started with the entrance of the catafalque party followed by the odes and prayers of the service. The Last Post was spine tingling and the National Anthem sung with more pride than ever.
By now the crowd had fallen silent and the flags of New Zealand, Australia and Turkey were flying high over the onlookers who were united in the remembrance of the fallen. There wasn’t a person in the crowd that hadn’t been touched by the moving ceremony, with all thinking of the men and women who died serving the Commonwealth, on the very spot where we were standing. It had become apparent to us all that this was an experience that would never be forgotten and that all Australians should endeavour to take part in.
When the service commenced, we began shuffling out of the area with the hundreds of people making their way up the hill to Lone Pine for the Australian ceremony. Upon arrival at the apex, we all rushed to get changed into our formal uniforms ready for the service to begin. Many of us thought that due to the walk back down Lone Pine and because the sun was now up, we would be warm enough in our formal uniform without our thermals.
We soon discovered this was not the case. We all huddled in the grandstand, with jumpers over our legs and with scarves and gloves on to attempt to fight the chilling wind while we awaited the laying of the wreaths. The service was amazing and the large contingent of Aussies who attended the service were silent throughout.
The dawn service was an amazing experience and both of the services that we took part in on the day were definitely worth the wait and cold we endured the day before. The pilgrimage that we made to Anzac Cove is one that every Australian and New Zealander should have the chance to experience.
“No Sleeping BumbleBee”,Keegyn and Kaitlyn J
