It’s a long weekend in Western Australia this weekend for ANZAC day – 100 year commemoration in fact – on a day that draws Australia and New Zealand together like no other day on the calender. Not rugby, nor cricket.
My eldest boy (he’s 7) has told his dad he wants to go to the dawn service in Margaret River. This starts at 6am. I’m not sure yet if they’ll be up and at ’em in time to make the ceremony… that will remain to be seen. For me, I’ll still be in bed, but I’ll remember the ANZACs in spirit.
I’ve been to Gallipoli and to ANZAC cove. I remember it as a stunningly beautiful place when I visited in the very early 1990s. I couldn’t then, and can’t really now, think of the devastation and noise and death that had happened at this beautiful beach all those years ago. I also remember how wonderfully the Turkish people cared for the graves and the area as a whole (they had lost so many sons too) – preserving it for those who had died on their land. It was an incredibly neat, groomed place. Time might have changed some of the landscape there, but I feel sure it won’t have altered the spirit of that place.
On the home front, I’ll be preparing myself for #DateNight! Have I told you about Date Night? It’s something Monique Mulligan who blogs at Write Note Reviews cooked up for Perth authors, Jennie Jones, Juanita Kees and myself. We are appearing on April 29 at 7pm as part of Stories On Stage at Koorliny Arts Centre. Monique will be asking all kinds of questions and I am certain several will be particularly curly.
Just like a real date, I’m trying to figure out what to wear. Beanie or no beanie? Hot scene excerpt from His Brand Of Beautiful or sweet scene excerpt from Fairway To Heaven? And who will do the reading? Me with my awful Aussie accent, or Jennie Jones—she of the acting background with the impeccable Welsh lilt… (I know who I’d rather listen to!)
If you are coming to Date Night, we look forward to seeing you there! If you’re still thinking about it, don’t wait too long. Apparently we three are rather a hot item, and tickets have sold faster than a backstage pass to a One Direction concert… 🙂 Plus, Monique needs to know numbers so she can cook up her delicious treats for supper.
Enjoy your ANZAC day commemorations wherever they may be. From me, thank you to everyone who has fought and served for Australia in war.
I won’t forget.
Lily Malone - Author 