25th of April – On this day in History -

1915 - 78,000 ANZAC troops land at Gallipoli

They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.

Today, Jah and I got up early and got ready to take the drive into Hobart to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn service that the Cenotaph. Tata stayed home with Nik who has been sick lately. In the lead up to today we have talked about ANZAC Day and what it stands for. We have explored our own family history and connection to the ANZACs as well as spent a lot of time learning about the ‘spirit of the ANZACs’ and  completing work based around this important day in Australia’s History.

We will remember them -Family members who served in the Australian Armed Forces.

Our Grandfather – Bartholomew Bermingham - Australian Army

Our Grandmother – Aileen E. Bermingham (Nee Durward) - Australian Army

Our Uncle – Peter W. Bermingham – Australian Navy

Lest We Forget

Download, Listen to and play  – ‘The Last Post’ – thanks to www.anzacday.org.au

– The Last Post – 214kb

ANZAC Day

I saw a kid marchin’ with medals on his chest.
He marched alongside Diggers marching six abreast.
He knew that it was ANZAC Day – he walked along with pride.
He did his best to keep in step with the Diggers by his side.

And when the march was over the kid was rather tired.
A Digger said “Whose medals, son?” to which the kid replied:
“They belong to daddy, but he did not come back.
He died up in New Guinea on a lonely jungle track”.

The kid looked rather sad then and a tear came to his eye.
The Digger said “Don’t cry my son and I will tell you why.
Your daddy marched with us today – all the blooming way.
We Diggers know that he was there – it’s like that on ANZAC Day”.

The kid looked rather puzzled and didn’t understand,
But the Digger went on talking and started to wave his hand.
“For this great land we live in, there’s a price we have to pay
For we all love fun and merriment in this country where we live.
The price was that some soldier his precious life must give.

For you to go to school my lad and worship God at will,
Someone had to pay the price so the Diggers paid the bill.
Your daddy died for us my son – for all things good and true.
I wonder if you understand the things I’ve said to you”.

The kid looked up at the Digger – just for a little while
And with a changed expression, said, with a lovely smile:
“I know my dad marched here today – this is ANZAC Day.
I know he did. I know he did, all the bloomin’ way”.

D. Hunter – (A veteran of Shaggy Ridge with the 2/12 Battalion in WW2)

Well today we enjoyed our first official 100 years celebration of Girl Guiding event as we attended the annual Thinking Day Celebration.  The girls and I shared the day with a few other guiding friend as we picked them up along the way to ‘Thinking Day’ so that we could all join in the fun. All in all our little group of six join ed in the larger group of too many to count!

As tradition holds it, February 22 is known as World Thinking Day or just Thinking Day for Guides and Scouts all around the world. It is a day where we reflect and think about the meaning of Guiding and Scouting and about our fellow Guides and Scouts in different countries around the world.  The date, February 22, is symbolical with the Guiding and Scouting movement and was chosen as it is the birthday of Scouting founder Robert Paden-Powell and of his wife Olave Baden-Powell who was the world Chief Guide.

So every year on the weekend closest to the 22nd of February Girl Guides and scouts come together for various activities all around the world to celebrate ‘World thinking Day’. Each year the Guiding and Scouting movement ask their members to focus on a different aspect of area of concern, relevant to modern society.

According to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

The World Thinking Day theme for 2010, which the Girl Guides are focusing on, is girls worldwide say “together we can end extreme poverty and hunger” and the aim is to raise awareness among guiding members everyone about poverty and hunger and for us all to work towards improving the lives of the poorest people in the world.

So today we joined together in creating a birthday cake made out of non perishable food items, that were later delivered to a local establishment who cater for those in need. We also gave a gold coin donation (or as Olave Paden-Powell would say – the cost of an ice cream) so that the money could be delivered to charity.

We shared a breakfast on the lawns of Parliament House in Hobart with the focus on each Guide bringing local foods for the gathering to eat. The idea was to focus on food miles and to gain a greater understanding of what that actually means. After our breakfast we had some fun and games before we all embarked on a boat journey around the River Derwent. This was a very memorable event that everyone enjoyed!

Well today was the official day where JAHG had to go and register for her club netball team. She is playing for Wrest Point and is in one of the under 11 teams. JAHG is very excited about her new uniform for netball and is looking forward to getting to know a lot of the other girls who will be playing with her.

Upon registration today, JAHG came home with her uniform and happily put it on to go outside and practice her netball skills with her sister and her dad. They practiced passing the ball, shooting for goals and having fun! Here are some pictures of JAHG in action!

Well today is a great day! we have always followed the football team in the AFL called Richmond, Tigers and we have always enjoyed going to the football to watch them play – rain, hail or shine, win or loose! However since moving to Tasmania, we have not had the opportunity to see the Tigers in action – live, as we just have not been back to Melbourne in footy season to go and see a game.

So we were delighted when Richmond was announced as coming to Launceston in Tasmania to play Hawthorn for the NAB cup. We rushed to purchase tickets the minute they went on sale in December and got great premium reserved seats! So today was the day. Football Fever landed in our house. Unfortunately I was so sick that the ticket I had purchased for me could not be used, for I was to stay home in bed, while SZG took the girls to the Footy. To say i was devbistated is an understatement, but then how I feel is so bad right now that I know I made the right and only decision to stay home.

The girls and their day had a great time. They got all dressed up in footy gear and enjoyed the game of footy, even though their team lost by a long shot… Now that’s dedication for you.

Well today was our day to head home. We had packed our car the night before and then got up really early this morning to have some breakfast, say good bye to Babcia, Dziadek and JAHG (JAHG is staying an extra few days and will fly back to Hobart with Babcia on the 2nd of February), before actually getting into the car to drive from Churchill in the Latrobe valley  to Melbourne to board our ferry back to Devonport Tasmania. It was amazing just how much traffic was still on the roads at 4.30 am as we left on our journey into the City of Melbourne. SZG and I commented that the amount of traffic at this hour of the day (4.30am) was basically more than what we have seen in Hobart or Launceston at Peak hour!

When we arrived at the ferry terminal we were greeted with the news that we would be travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania I. Until now we had always manage to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania II, so this boat was a new experience for us, even though they are said to be the same! For much of the trip, we enjoyed the comfort of our Cabin, sleeping when ever possible and just reading our magazines, books and NIK drew some pictures to fill in the time.

All the while JAHG was starting out back in Churchill on her first grand adventure without Mum, Tata or NIK, as she stayed behind at Babcia and Dzadek’s house for about another week. Lets hope she has lots of fun! As for us we can’t wit to be back home!

Today we spent the day at Babcia and Dziadek’s House. The children enjoyed this immensely. It has been almost two years since we have visited them at their house, yet it seemed like yesterday once we got there. Both girls were very excited to see Monty the dog and Marnie the cat. Monty was very accomodating in sticking around for photo opportunities, however the same could not be said for Marnie as he did very well at hiding away.

During the day we did lots of things, such as visiting Pra babcia’s grave, going for a walk. JAHG did some bead craft – Making necklaces and bracelets for us all. NIK enjoyed a play with Monty, who is almost as big as her and a great day was had by all.