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ABC Open: Veterans reflect on the meaning of Anzac Day

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Australian Army shield illuminated at dawn service
ABC Open: Veterans reflect on the meaning of Anzac Day

SUBJECTS:  History

YEARS:  9–10


What does Anzac Day mean to you?

For some older Australians, Anzac Day recognises loyalty to the British Empire. To others it is a time to remember sacrifice and to take pride in Australian character.

Watch this clip to discover what Anzac Day means to a number of veterans in the 21st century.


Things to think about

  1. 1.Why do you think there been a resurgence of interest in Anzac Day in recent years? That first anniversary of the landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 was commemorated in Australia, New Zealand and England and by Australian soldiers fighting on the Western Front. But what meaning does it hold in modern times?
  2. 2.What is the meaning of Anzac Day for the young army veteran who speaks at the start of the clip? Why is the war memorial behind him significant? The man who speaks next says that Anzac Day is 'part of our history, our heritage'. What do you think he means? Do you agree with him?
  3. 3.A World War II veteran states 'Young people … had to stick their lives on the line for somebody else's political benefit.' Can this really be true? Would politicians send young Australians to wars that might not be in their country's interest? Discuss the statement with older relatives and neighbours to gauge their opinions. Summarise your findings in a brief report.
  4. 4.During the 1960s and early 1970s, the era when Australians were fighting in the Vietnam War, some people questioned the value of Anzac Day and its significance to society. Since the 1990s, however, there has been a swelling of interest, with growing numbers of Australians attending Anzac Day ceremonies. Develop a series of questions to guide an inquiry into the reasons for this change.



Date of broadcast: 2011


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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