A day of reflection

Tuesday 31st March 2015

Frustratingly, I had to swap rooms today but it did mean I was up reasonably early. After a leisurely breakfast, I walked to the Australian War Memorial and although I was here to learn more about Australia's war history, I had to smile in the car park as I passed these colourful old cars.  They look like they belong in a children's story book!

On the way to the entrance, I passed this memorial which is originally from Camp Russell, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan where it was the focus for various commemorative ceremonies, such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, but was also used during special services held to farewell comrades killed in action.
 

Then I passed this statue which commemorates one of the most famous Australian soldiers. 

Anzacs.net writes:

"In Perth on 23rd August 1914, Jack [Simpson Kirkpatrick] was accepted [into the Australian Army] and chosen as a field ambulance stretcher bearer.

[...]

On the 25^th April 1915 he, along with the rest of the Australian and New Zealand contingent landed at the wrong beach on a piece of wild, impossible and savage terrain now known as Anzac Cove.

Attack and counter attack began.

During the morning hours of April 26th , along with his fellows, Jack was carrying casualties back to the beach over his shoulder – it was then that he saw the donkey.

Jack knew what he had to do.

From then on he became a part of the scene at Gallipoli walking along next to his donkey, forever singing and whistling as he held on to his wounded passengers [...] until he was hit by a machine gun bullet in his back on 19th May 1915.

In these amazing 24 days he was to rescue over 300 men down the notorious Monash Valley."
 

I arrived into the entrance of the memorial just in time to join the 11am tour - a 90 minute highlights tour and lasted nearer 2 hours.  The war memorial is also a war history museum as well as a place of remembrance and, oh my, this place is massive.  Our extremely knowledgeable volunteer guide reckons you need around 4 days to fully take in all of the exhibits and I think he was right!

 

After an amazing tour, I watched a sound and light show around the G for George plane, emulating the blitz over Berlin.  Then lunch in the restaurant before spending around 45 minutes walking up and down Anzac parade admiring the 10 memorials which line either side. As I was leaving the Australian War Memorial, there were service men and women rehearsing alongside the reflection pool and within the tomb of the unknown soldier. 
 

These photos were taken outside the Australian War Memorial, the red stones that create the flooring outside and along the centre of Anzac parade, represent the blood of the ANZACs while the gumtrees and bushes which line the street represent Australia and New Zealand.
 

The memorials that line the parade are:

• Australian Hellenic Memorial
• National Memorial to the Australian Army

• Australian National Korean War Memorial

•  Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial 

• Desert Mounted Corps Memorial - first memorial constructed on Anzac Parade

• Rats of Tobruk Memorial

• Royal Australian Air Force Memorial
• Australian Service Nurses National Memorial

• Royal Australian Navy War Memorial

• Kemal Ataturk Memorial

Back at the Australian War Memorial, I was feeling peckish again, and I also wanted to observe the closing ceremony which took place in around 90 minutes so I bought a drink and slice of banana bread (an Aussie favourite) from Poppy's café.

 On the way back inside the memorial, I photographed this statue of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop and I recognised this statue as there is a copy in Melbourne.  Wikipedia confirms this:

"A bronze statue of Edward Dunlop at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2nd of an edition of two by sculptor Peter Corlett, the other in the Domain Parklands in Melbourne. This statue "commemorates all Australian doctors and medical staff who served Australian prisoners of war in the Asia-Pacific region between 1939 and 1945." "

I found a good spot on the balcony for the closing ceremony, along with 4 large school group, all of whom behaved very respectfully.  After the National Anthem, bagpipes were played while wreathes were laid, including from the school groups and the family of the soldier whose story was being told.  After his story, the last post was played.  It was very emotional to be part of such a special occasion.
 

On the way out of the war memorial grounds, I passed this sculpture which I had missed on the way in.
 

 

Back at the hostel, I crocheted and had dinner.

 

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.