Reliving the Memory

Walls lined with poppies
commemorate the lives lost
for us.

The ghost of the young digger sits on the hill, as he does every year on Anzac. As he watches the sun rise on the horizon, bathing down on the record crowds surrounding Anzac Cove. Tears well in his eye as the memories from that dark brisk morning overcome him. He and his mates did not need orders, for as soon as the cove was in reach the heroes climbed from the boats with high hopes and ready for a battle; little did they know they would battle to their deaths.

Fifty eight years ago Alan Seymour wrote his controversial play The One Day of the Year. He never imagined that society’s impressions of Anzac Day would change from what they once were.

The One Day of the Year was inspired by an article in the University of Sydney newspaper Honi Soit. The article criticized the use of a marked holiday provided for the public on Anzac Day to commemorate the lives lost. Seymour’s play contains the once-heretical perspective that Anzac Day - the proud emblem of Australia's military sacrifice - was founded on confused ideals and often degenerated into a squalid orgy of drunkenness and street brawls.

In corroboration of the article, Alan Seymour states, “my own impressions of the commemoration were shaped in the 1950s… on Anzac Day when I left my home… I returned to a frightening scene - drunken men brawling and vomiting in the street.” From this statement it could be guessed that Seymour reflects his own personal views through the actions and words of the main character, Hughie.

Hughie is a university student who helps his girl-friend, Jan, take pictures for a newspaper article about the celebrations of Anzac Day.

Crowds from all over the world fill
Anzac Cove to remember the
lost diggers.

Since the article published in the Honi Soit and the publication of Seymour’s playwright Anzac Day and the views shared of it have changed immensely. Some locations have banned alcohol and over recent years record breaking crowds have attended nationwide dawn and day services/marches. The memory of the Anzacs still lives on.

Despite the views Alan Seymour has conveyed, Anzac Day, instead of being forgotten after almost 100 years is now being celebrated more than ever, no matter the weather.

A maintenance worker at Melbourne’s remembrance shrine pointed out, “Although it was cold and wet thousands of people, especially youth, gathered at the shrine today to pay their respect to the lost lives of diggers and Anzacs”.

Across the globe at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, according to organisers temporary tiered seating and facilities were just not enough to cater for the record-breaking crowds, and upon arrival, the crowds found that it was squashed.  Other venues such as Bribie Island, at the dawn service found that they did not have the facilities to hold the vast turn-out.

If you have recently been to an Anzac Day march you may have noticed children lining the streets who have begged their parents to come and watch, embrace and remember those lives lost for the future of our nation.

Youth supporting marches across the globe

To me what is so noticeable is that the youth and the future generations of the nation are educated on the importance of remembering those who were lost fighting for our nations freedom. Prime Minister Julia Gillard states: “When you can see that kind of enthusiasm and embrace by our youngest Australians for commemorating Anzac Day and for what is means for them, then I think we can say as a nation it’s an important part of our national identity.”

The perspective of Seymour and the reality of today’s celebrations for Anzac Day are immeasurably different. They are influenced by difference in generations, beliefs, races and ways that each individual is brought up.

Although everyone has different perspectives, the spirit of the Anzacs will continue to be embraced for years to come. Those Anzac heroes shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, but in fact become younger with celebrations, to commemorate the diggers, becoming livelier and more diverse.  Generations come and go, and knowledge and stories are passed on. 

M & L