ANZAC Bridge Sydney Australia

[graemek]

Hi All: In our ABC News tonight the following story appeared:
NZ troops to be honoured on Anzac Bridge
15th June 2007, 7:55 WST

A statue of a New Zealand World War I soldier will be built on Sydney's Anzac Bridge, honouring the close ties between Australia and New Zealand.

Pic Source: anzac bridge answers .com
The statue will be erected on the entrance to the bridge opposite the existing statue of an Aussie digger.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is on a national visit, made the announcement with NSW Premier Morris Iemma at an Anzac commemoration service in Sydney's Martin Place.

She said the statue would be jointly funded by the governments of New Zealand and NSW.

"New Zealand and Australia have a shared military history dating back to when both countries sent troops to the Boer War.

"Our people have served side by side with bravery and distinction on many occasions since then, from Gallipoli and the Western Front to peace keeping operations.

"The statues of the two soldiers will be fitting reminders to all who use the bridge of the sacrifice of the Anzac soldiers, the wider Anzac tradition and the very close bond which exists to this day between Australians and New Zealanders."

The statue, which will be sculpted by Alan Somerville, a joint Australian-New Zealand citizen, is expected to be completed next year.

Mr Iemma said it was fitting that a statue of a New Zealand soldier would be placed on the bridge.

"The Anzac story belongs to two nations, not just one," he said.

"It is a precious inheritance shared by both sides of the Tasman."
AAP

Well, you might ask, what has this got to do with Hayley??

This statue has next Anzac Day 25th April 2008 as its completion date aim.
Just suppose that Hayley was over this way around that time.
Can she sing? Yes.
Does she know Helen? Yes.
Will Helen need a tried & true singer for the NZ Anthem? Yes.
Will she have fan support at the event?? Well, at least 2 of us.
Any further questions? NO !!!
Graemek

[chrisw]

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for posting the article, even though it's not directly related to Hayley.

As a Kiwi, as a former member of both the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserves and a current serving member of the British Armed Forces, it makes me proud to see such a memorial being put in place.

A lot of people around the world know that Kiwi's and Aussies fight and argue, yet they don't understand why we remember ANZAC Day and always defend each other.. NZ and Australia have always stood side-by-side when it counts, especially in the field of war.

We march off together, to face the unknown, in the same way that our forefathers did decades before and will always be there to support each other. ANZAC Day reminds us of this and brings the new generation into the fold. They become aware of the sacrifices that have been made so that they can experience life today in whatever form they choose.

~Chris

[Richard]

Hello Graeme and Chris!

It's an interesting thought that Hayley might sing at the unveiling ceremony, but while it's pure speculation I feel this thread should be on the Off-Topic board. We can move it back again should Hayley's involvement become a reality.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[graemek]

Hi Richard & Chris,
Yes Richard, I wasn't absolutely sure what to do with the article but your solution is good.
I would love to join a ceremony like that & listen to her sing her anthem & for that matter the Aussie one too.
She was magnificent in London (unveiling of NZ War Memorial) when she sang first the British & next the NZ anthems one after another.

And hi Chris & welcome to the forum.

I agree totally with sustaining the spirit of Anzac!!
Too valuable to let go. I respect Helen Clark for her efforts to keep the old friends of the Commonwealth together.
Graemek

[chrisw]

Hi Richard,

Good idea and good placing

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the welcome I hope to see the NZ War Memorial at some stage - it's one of the things just down the road that you never get the chance to see until you're back on the other side of the world wondering why.. if that makes sense

As for Helen Clark, I'm of mixed feelings. I remember being in the RSA in Christchurch on ANZAC Day just after Jenny Shipley became PM, and after the dawn ceremony in Wellington, she flew down to Christchurch and gave a rousing speech to everyone in there. That's one thing that has always stuck in my mind about ANZAC Day, that and the amazing number of people who turn out every year.

Rememberance Day is similar in the UK. I march as part of the Royal Navy contingent in Birmingham every year, and over the past couple of years the numbers attending to watch the parade has grown well into the thousands. The first parade I marched in after I returned from Iraq was the first year that the crowd clapped and cheered as we did the march-past. It's an amazing feeling and brought tears to my eyes (and many other returnees also).

It was then, for the first time, that I realised how much the likes of ANZAC Day must mean to those who served, not only in Gallipoli, but in WWI, WWII and every conflict that we have provided personnel to since..

~Chris

[postscript]

Thanks, Chrisw, for your reply#1. It was a most heartening response, an excellent insight into the kiwi/oz relationship and congratulations for all your wonderful forces' ser vice--in diversity and length of time.

Peter S.