Macquarie Island Adventure: ANZAC Day...a time for reflection

ANZAC day is a special day on the Antarctic bases and this year was no exception. It was a special day here on Macquarie Island as 7 of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP) are from New Zealand.

Each Station has its own way of honouring the spirit and reverence of ANZAC day.

Our day started at with a 0615 gathering in the mess. At 0625 we made our way in the misty drizzly dawn to the flag poles.

The day before, Tony the Communications technician had set up some weather proof speakers to the 2 outer flag poles, while before the ceremony a portable flood light had been set up to light up the flags.

We all gathered at the eastern side of the flag poles and silently watched as the Australian, New Zealand and Aboriginal flags were raised.

The flags being attached to the poles by the flag bearers - Josh Lionel and Patty

Everyone gathered at the flagpoles for the dawn service.

After the flags were raised to half mast and a welcome and introduction by Mark (station leader), Craig (Met Observer) read out the ANZAC address which is reproduced below.

Craig reading the ANZAC address to the gathering (with a flash)

Craig reading the ANZAC address in the increasing light of dawn (without a flash)

After the address Tony Harris read out a prayer

This was followed by the traditional Ode to the Fallen which was recited by Chris Howard.

The haunting sounds of the Last Post followed (played through the speakers) and this was followed by a minutes silence. The swirling drizzle, blown by the westerly wind really heightened the senses during this brief minute.

Again the speakers punctuated the cool Macquarie Island air with Reveille as the flags were raised.

After the sounding of Reveille, the flags were raised to half mast

Nancye then read out the poem In Flander's Fields. Again we all listened in silence as the poem was read, each of us deep in our own thoughts on this memorable morning.

Gathered around as we reflect on the reading of "In Flander's Fields"

This brought us to the final part of the service - The playing of the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.

Listening to the National Anthems at dawn on ANZAC Day.

We then all made our way to the Mess for a hearty breakfast - Gunfire Breakfast. On the way back to station I was in conversation with one of the MIPEP people. He eluded to the fact that the topography around Macquarie Island - steep, rugged slopes down to very narrow beaches - must have been a very similar sight for those soldiers coming in to landing at ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli.

ANZAC Cove Gallipoli

The Mess (Gunfire Breakfast) was nice and warm after being in the cold, drizzly outdoors

(chef) Tony putting the finishing touches on the breakfast

The beautifully set out tables for the Gunfire Breakfast

ANZAC Breakfast awaits

Before we were seated, Chris (our Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services ranger) recited a poem that he had penned about a digger mate who had been killed in action, after which we raised our glasses in a toast to all who had served in the armed services, past and present.

Chris sharing his lovely poem with us before we make a toast

ANZAC day is complete with ANZAC biscuits

The crew did a magnificent job with breakfast preparation - Chef had been up since 3am and some of the others not far behind him

After breakfast finished, there were many hands to help clean up, then the rest of the morning and the early afternoon, we relaxed and reflected on the mornings events in our own way.

I wondered what it must have been like for my Dad....

He was 12 when the Second World War started and in the last year of the war, as a 17 year old, he was picked up off the street by the Germans and without saying goodbye to his family, was forced to walk to Germany as a prisoner. He was detained in a work camp for the next 12 months, digging trenches and big ditches for hiding the German tanks. During this time he had no contact with his family and only had the clothes on his back and survived on very little food or comfort.

In the late evening I went for a walk, to reflect on the day. There were many gentoo penguins gathered around the flag poles. I wonder what they made of all of this...