What is ANZAC Day? ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. What does ANZAC stand for? ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day special to Australians? When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

ANZAC Biscuits

In World War 1, loving wives and mothers would send their husbands and sons Anzac Biscuits in food parcels. They were a popular staple because they didn't spoil easily and travelled well. Today, you can purchase a packet of Anzac Biscuits at your local supermarket but why not make them?

There's something extra special about home made cookies and you'll be extra popular with your loved ones. Here's a quick and easy recipe that you will truly adore. Pour yourself a cuppa and let's get started. You will need: 1 cup of plain flour 1 cup of rolled oats 1 cup of brown sugar half a cup of coconut 2 tablespoons of golden syrup half a teaspoon of bi carb 125 grams of butter 1 tablespoon of water Method: Melt butter in saucepan, add golden syrup and water. Sift the flour and the bi carb. Add the rolled oats, the sugar & the coconut. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and mix it all up. Roll mixture into small balls and place on greased tray. Bake at 175 C for 10-15 minutes (play it by ear). Biscuits will harden when cool. (For extra crunch in your biscuits, add more golden syrup)