Anzac Day

The commemoration of Anzac Day is an important date in New Zealand’s history, as is the centenary of Gallipoli. The two events are commemorated on the same date with Anzac Day's own centenary one year from now in 2016.

The 2779 New Zealanders who lost their life in the Gallipoli campaign didn’t ask to be remembered (or slaughtered).
Many of those that returned didn’t wish to remember at all and were grateful just to be alive.

I have always been affected by the humility of all returned servicemen I have had the honour of meeting. I think I know what they would think about the gross over-commercialisation of such a special event and can’t help but think that some things shouldn’t be touched or “leveraged” for any sort of pecuniary gain.

If you want to do something personally or commercially, buy a poppy, make a donation, go to a dawn parade or just reflect in your own way.

Beyond that lacks humility and is distasteful.

image courtesy Brett McDowell Gallery

The commemoration of Anzac day is an important date in New Zealand’s history, as is the centenary of Gallipoli.

The two events are commemorated on the same date with Anzac days own centenary 2 years from now in 1916.

The 2779 New Zealanders who lost their life in the Gallipoli campaign didn’t ask to be remembered (or slaughtered), many of those that returned didn’t wish to remember at all and were grateful just to to be alive.

I have always been most affected by the humility of all returned servicemen I have had the honour of meeting.

I Think I know what they would think about the gross over-commercialisation of such a special event and can’t help but think that some things shouldn’t be touched or “leveraged” for any sort of pecuniary gain.

If you want to do something buy a poppy, make a donation, go to a dawn parade or just reflect in your own personal way.

Beyond that lacks humility and is distasteful.

View more Dispatch posts

Back to Dispatch

Why We Love Loro Piana, Italy's Finest

Loro Piana are widely regarded as global leaders in fabric and textile manufacturing. They are devoted to producing the world's most luxurious textiles using the world’s finest and rarest raw materials. These include rare cashmere from baby goats in northern China and Mongolia, Vicuña from the Andes and extra-fine merino wool from Australia and New...

Waxing & Waning: The History of Moonphase Watches

In light of Matariki, watch expert Zayyar Win Thein, of vintage watch business Wynn & Thayne, shares with us the history of moonphase watches and how they work. -- In its essence, a moonphase watch relays the 29.5 day lunar cycle by displaying the current phase (sunlit portion) of the moon on the dial of...

Alberts Members Club

One thing that I have always enjoyed about working internationally is access to a global network of well-appointed clubs; they're invaluable when doing business abroad. Auckland has always struggled with providing such a club, with the preeminent one being more traditional and not conducive to doing business in quite the same way. That's why Alberts Members...