ANZAC Day, honouring from home
ANZAC Day is on 25th April: Here are some creative ways you can observe this important day from home with your family
ANZAC Day, honouring from home
ABC are televising an Anzac Day ceremony live from the Australian War Memorial with coverage beginning at 5am on April 25th.
If you have a go at any of our suggestions below, please include the GOTAFE community in your efforts and post your efforts online with hashtags
#gotafe #anzacspirit
As we approach Anzac Day on April 25th, you may be wondering about ways you can observe this important day. Sadly, this year, due to the current health crisis, the commemorative events for Anzac Day 2020 look a little different. While we are all being asked to stay at home, the restrictions mean we are unable to gather together for a public service.
However, to call on the words of the Army Corps, “Fear Naught”, there are still plenty of ways you can honour the sacrifices made by veterans, both past and present, to protect us all. Here are a few ways you can commemorate the day from home!
Hold a dawn service in your driveway
The connection with our community is more important in these times than ever before. Even though community events are cancelled, you can feel connected to the local community by taking part in the “Driveways at Dawn” event. At 5.55am, light a candle and stand at the end of your driveway or on your balcony with your family to observe a minute’s silence at 6am to reflect on the dedication and commitment of service people from the past to the present day.
If you have a musician in the family, you could have them play ‘The Last Post’ for the street - download the sheet music. Go ahead and blow your own trumpet!
Make an Anzac Wreath
All this extra time at home gives us the perfect opportunity to get creative! Get your family involved and make a beautiful and meaningful Anzac Day Wreath. Traditionally, wreaths made of bay leaves, rosemary or poppies are laid down on Anzac Day to remember those who have lost their lives in times of conflict. However, you can get crafty with things you may have around the house including egg cartons, paper plates, red paint and glue. Watch this short video showing how to make a poppy wreath at home for inspiration.
If you do happen to have a rosemary busy or bay tree in your garden, you could also think about making a real rosemary or laurel leaf ring.
Feast on a Gunfire Breakfast
The tradition of a Gunfire Breakfast is the perfect excuse to gather your family round the breakfast table for a feast of bacon, sausages, eggs, beans, tomatoes and tea!
Bake Anzac Biscuits
Anzac Day marks the first major military action fought by Australia and New Zealand in WWI – but how does this relate to biscuits? During the war, wives and women’s groups would bake biscuits and send them to their men on the battlefield. These biscuits provided a tasty treat but had to be made from ingredients that didn’t spoil easily. They have since become an Aussie icon.
Below, Eric from the Wangaratta Café, has provided us with the recipe he uses for his Anzac biscuits. We are sure that Eric’s are much more delicious than those provided to the soldiers at Gallipoli!
Anzac Biscuit Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cups desiccated coconut or shredded coconut
- 125g butter
- 2 tablespoons Golden Syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1 ½ tablespoons boiling water
Method
- Sift the flour
- Combine the oats, flour, sugar and coconut in one bowl
- Melt butter and golden syrup over gentle heat.
- Mix Bicarbonate of Soda with boiling water and add to butter mix then stir to combine
- Stir into dry ingredients.
- Now this is a trick.... leave to sit for 15-20 mins while the oven heats to 170 (160 fan-forced) - the biscuits will hold together better when you form balls and press on trays.
- Roll into tablespoon sized balls and press lightly on a tray lined with a baking sheet or silicone mat
- Allow double the room for spreading.
- Cook for 20 mins (rotating if your oven has hot spots)
- Loosen while warm then move to a cooling rack
- Once cooked properly and cooled, they should keep for a few weeks in an airtight container.
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