Thread: ANZAC Day 2014

To Everyone .....

Thanks for the excellent posts ..... I'm involved in Scouting ......we do the RSL March in Cannington along with Guides, Cadets and local schools and its a respectful Service to those who we owe so much.

Cheers

Baggy

I usually go to the Redcliffe Dawn Service - its very beautiful there - but am going to try Sandgate this time.

I also believe that whilst ANZAC Day is very popular (as it should be) it is important to reflect on sacrifice, courage, honour and bravery throughout the year.

Up to Kings Park for the Dawn Service with some friends. We usually take a picnic breakfast and watch the sun rising over the hills.

My maternal grandfather served with the 172 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Battery as a Bren-gunner and saw action in PNG and the Solomons.

Around this time of year I always get a funny feeling that I'll probably never get the chance to do something worthy of those who have gone before but that I have to live my life as best I can to honour their sacrifice.
I'm only 29 but I'm already over 10 years older than my Pop was when he enlisted (2 weeks after his 18th birthday in 1943).

The Battle of Long Tan and Gallipoli will be watched at some point during the day. as well, no doubt.

Patsy and I have just returned from the first part of our Anzac ceremonies, the one held at Bald Hills State School.
A very impressive service with recitations and addresses by the School Leaders plus a general address on the meaning of Anzac Day by a young Regular Engineers Lieutenant, the Ode, Last Post and Reveille.
As usual I was extremely impressed by the way these kids carry the service out and it is indeed a privilege to be part of it.
Part of the day for the kids (and when I was this age it sure would have been a highlight for me,) was being able to scramble in and over some of the vehicles and I am always surprised at some of the sensible questions put forward by people so young. It is also interesting to be brought back down to earth again by listening to some of the ideas in these little heads.
One little girl pointed to my medals and asked "was I killed in the war?"
Humorous as the statement may be it also makes me wonder just how old I was before I actually came to grips with what "Dying" actually meant.
Anyway back to the lighter side of the day:
Just after I made my last post yesterday afternoon about my Anzac Day plans and after spending the past day or so sprucing the vehicle up a bit, I hopped in Onslow and took a short run down to the servo to take on enough fuel for the next few days running, and on the way home, about 1 km out I heard a hissing sound and noticed that the temp gauge had risen fairly alarmingly. I threw it into neutral and coasted the best part of the click or so home with the engine still idling, pulled into the driveway and did a quick inspection in, under and around, lifted the bonnet and gingerly (with the aid of a very large towel) released the radiator cap. I put in a couple of gallons I suppose before I realised that it was getting out as fast as I could put it in, so I looked a bit harder and found that the core plug (screw in one) just above the starter was gushing water out. Disaster!
After switching off the motor, I cleaned up the hole area with a screwdriver, towel and compressed air as best I could, then I grabbed some "quicksteel/kneadit" (insert your favourite brand name here.), chopped off about an inch or so and began to knead it and insert it into the offending hole.
About an hour later it had gone off and cured so I refilled the radiator and ran the engine back up to running temperature again without the radiator cap on and all seemed well.
This morning I replaced the cap and set off on our 55 minute freeway run across to the other side of town, with one eye on the road and the other on the temp gauge. All went well so I now just hope this temporary fix will last through tomorrow then I can do something a bit more permanent.

So much for those dramas, now a couple of pictures of the day.
Much the same crew each year offering a wide range from WWll through to Vietnam and current vehicles.


That helmet is a fair load for that little neck!


Do you reckon this little bloke will remember his day?


Patsy points out a few of the finer advantages of taking a gunbuggy shopping!
.

Now we just have tomorrow to look forward to.
Regards
Glen

I went to the Pittwater RSL ANZAC Sunday service on the 13th (held early because of Easter), and was planning to go to the dawn service at Pittwater like I have almost every year for 24 years, but a couple of mates I served with many years ago are going to Forestville RSL, so I might go to that one instead, then head in to Sydney where we all meet at a certain pub every year.

Jeff

Will attend Dawn Service at our future son in law's unit Enoggera and then the big march in Brisbane City. I say big because once, my cobber and I journeyed in the VG Hemi,to Stanley to find service cancelled due to inclement weather. Didn"t bother us , except he pulled rank and ordered me to stand in the rain and wind whilst HE made shelter under a shop verandah ,and recited THE ODE. So I am looking forward to riding in atrain ,and marching to the drums, perhaps even a reunion.

Dave

Love the Rigs Glen, looks like the kiddies got a kick out of them too.

And great to see so much support from everyone else!

Been trying the latest Anzac Biscuit recipes ready for tomorrow.


Ref; Chocolate-Coated Anzac Biscuits-Bakery-Discover Downunder

Here's a recipe that was featured in Episode 10 of Discover Downunder Series 5 that is made super easy, to be made quickly when on the road!
Chocolate-Coated Anzac Biscuits:

Melt in a saucepan: 125g butter (no need to weigh, cut a 250g block in half) and 1 tablespoon of golden syrup.

Dissolve 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda in 2 tablespoons boiling water, and stir into butter mixture.

Add in order: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup coconut, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup plain flour. Mix well.

Place in spoonfuls on a greased, or baking-paper lined, oven tray. You can make the biscuits whatever size you like.

Bake at 180deg C for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown. Biscuits will still be soft to touch.

Cool on tray for about 10 minutes, then loosen and cool on a wire tray.

Melt some good quality chocolate in 30-second bursts on High in the microwave. Stir well between microwaving. Repeat until chocolate is almost melted. Keep stirring until smooth. If necessary, microwave for 5-10 seconds more. The bowl should never feel hot.

Dip the cooled biscuits halfway into the chocolate, or spread chocolate over the bottom, or drizzle over the top, whatever you prefer. Enjoy!