ANZAC Day

Neelz Singh, Lami

ANZAC Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

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.

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world.

When Britain declared war in August 1914 Australia was automatically placed on the side of the Commonwealth.

In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the 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), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on April 25, 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 from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships.

More than 8000 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign. Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and April 25 soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of Australian and New Zealand forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy.

What became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.

Australians recognise April 25 as a day of national remembrance, which takes two forms.

Commemorative services are held across the nation at dawn – the time of the original landing, while later in the day, former servicemen and servicewomen meet to take part in marches through the country’s major cities and in many smaller centres.

Commemorative ceremonies are more formal, and are held at war memorials around the country. In these ways, ANZAC Day is a time at which Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.
Dry leaves

Hasmukh Patel, Lautoka

The leaves have been raked and left there at Drasa Avenue, Lautoka since Monday.

When it gets windy it will all be blown away.

Most of them into my compound.

FRA – It is our earnest request that priority is given in making a footpath .

This stretch is in the city and used by 1000s of students as well as others.
NEW NAMAKA MARKET

Norman Yee, Martintar Nadi

This letter is written in response to a desperate plea from a market vendor. This is despite many other complaints already made by others.

The original market was an open air concept where the normal windflow was unobstructed.

It was airy and comfortable. The new building though looking very impressive was not practical at all, with the day  breeze obstructed and heat from the roof unrelenting.

Now an additional building is being constructed along the Southern wall of the market, that will  further obstruct  natural ventilation.

This building should not take place unless a clear space is left along the southern part of the market

The new market must have cost a package and now the running costs would be higher with  overhead fans being proposed and  a ceiling is needed to further insulate the building from the heated roof.

Whoever designed  this new version should have at least consulted the market vendors to understand their needs.

Now we have this huge building with unhappy vendors who have to bear the Western heat day in and day out.

What a shame.

We certainly needed town councillors back so that the people can be heard.
LTA CLEANER

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

The revelation that a Land Transport Authority (LTA) cleaner conducted corrupt practices by bypassing procedures and obtaining drivers licences in exchange for cash clearly explains why we have so many bogus drivers on our roads.

If a cleaner can achieve getting drivers licences in such a manner one can only imagine how corrupt it is within LTA.

I believe corrupt practices as such is rife at all LTA offices Fiji wide and meticulous investigations ought to be carried out, if not already!

I believe the cleaner is just the tip of the ice berg!

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