Cloud Nine: Anzac Day ... Lest We forget

My morning started by finishing my book on the Eureka Stockade

and by coincidence it seems that Peter Lalor's (the man that led the famous charge against the red coats on the stockade in 1854) grandson died in Gallipoli. Rumour has it he had a famous sword used on the Stockade with him, however it has never been found despite extensive searches for it by the Australian and Turks.

The Eureka Stockade is a well forgotten part of Australian history and is often dismissed as a simple tax dispute. The famous Southern Cross flag has often been associated with unions and the hard left and even for anti immigration protests. It is such a shame this has happened. On one reading of the matter it is really the first time Australian's (many of whom's homelands were from foreign ports) banded together for a common goal including abolition of a crippling mining tax, their right to democracy and abolition of class warfare. The Eureka Stockade in my opinion should not be a forgotten part of our history and we should all spare a thought for the miners and the redcoats who played a part in this integral part of Australian history.

So... that leads me to Anzac Day - celebrated by all yesterday in remembrance of the diggers , "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served." Originally 25 April every year was to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga. It is no longer observed as a national holiday in Papua New Guinea or Samoa.

It was wonderful to see such a great turn out for the march this year. On my count, the Australian diggers have fought in the following wars:

New Zealand Wars (Taranaki War, Invasion of the Waikato
Sudan
Boer War
Boxer Rebellion
WW1 and WW2
Russian and Spanish Civil War
Korean War
Indonesian and Malayian confrontations
Vietnam War
East Timor
Afganistran
Iraq

We decided to celebrate at the United Services Club, Brisbane.

The clubs patron is Chief Justice Paul de Jersey who attended the luncheon

The club has a grand entrance

The menu for Anzac Day was amazing!

The table was set with military precision and fine silver

We started with an antipasto plate

During the entree we were treated to a military band with bagpipes marching though the building

Here's a video - there is nothing like the sounds of bagpipes!

Main course for me was all about oysters and prawns - it was divine. I admit this was not the first or last plate of oysters I consumed!

The dessert tray was spectacular! I went to the gym today in guilt but it was worth it!

I wore my favourite new stockings and a dress from Alannah Hill called the "forever gone" dress - very fitting!

There is lots of memorabilia and honour boards throughout the entire club

There's also a cellar on the way out!

On the way out in the carpark we chanced across the Major General's Car ... not something you see every day ....

The driver was very affable and let us take a few shots!

We took the long way home to visit the alpacca on the top of Hamilton Hill - not sure if you have ever noticed but there is a resident alpacca on the hill and he is gorgeous!!

The home is spectacular - here's a retro shot from a book on Brisbane

The Alpacca has the best view in Brisbane (he's another few metre's higher than this) and has an unobstructed view of Brisbane City and the river

I love the gates of the property

I arrived home to a special Anzac Day treat - my cats had arrived ...

She prefers her old friend Hello Kitty

Kismet's not too sure about her new friends. Lucky for her they are a belated Easter present for mum and dad! Bling was not impressed at all and preferred ebay!