ANZAC Day | How we commemorate this day

Lest We Forget

Honouring our servicemen & women this ANZAC day

On the 25th of April every year, we commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and honour returned and serving servicemen and women. The date marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. 

First observed in 1916, this is a day for remembering and honouring the sacrifice of those involved, as well as the families of those who were killed. It's hard to even begin to imagine the kind of trauma this would have caused for thousands of families. This day is also a reminder of how privileged we are to not have to send our family members to war. Whilst 2022 isn't perfect, we are incredibly fortunate to be in a safe country, compared to the rest of the world. 

Image of a poppy

As ANZAC Day holds meaning to all of us who live in New Zealand and the Flo & Frankie Family we asked around our Head Office and Boutiques to hear what ANZAC Day means to them. Here’s what they had to say below:

Hannah Sames - Marketing Manager

ANZAC Day has always been special in our family, my grandad, Arthur Sames, was a fighter pilot in WWII and was one of the lucky ones to be able to come home at the end of it. He kept a journal the whole way through his experience and it has been such a treasured piece of history in our family. Ever since I can remember, dad and I wake up at 5:15am on April 25 and head to the local dawn service, followed by coffee and breakfast at a nearby café to talk about Grandad Sames and all he went through during the war.

Bev Carney - Store Manager, Milford

My Dad was a World War 11 Veteran on a ship called the Warspite out of the UK. ANZAC day has always been a big day for us. Dad always marched and in his later years I always marched with him usually at the Dawn service in Browns Bay. I continue to march on Anzac Day on behalf of my Dad

Chrissy Conyngham - Founder & Vibes Director:

It’s hard to comprehend the sacrifice so many people made, their incredible courage, and how many families lost their special loved ones.  If it was one of my children or my husband who lost their life at war I would be so devastated. They have given so much and we can never forget. We honour them and their families. 

Some ways to mindfully spend ANZAC Day:

  • Attend a dawn service to honour those who made their sacrifices. 
  •  Read up about the history of ANZAC day, here.
  • Bake some ANZAC biscuits to share with your loved ones. We love this easy-to-follow vegan and allergy-friendly recipe from The Global Vegan by Ellie Bullen. Check out the recipe here!
  • Make your own Poppies with your kids, using the below video:

We leave you with this poem written by New Zealander, Mike Subritzky at 15 years old and read during the ANZAC service at Westminster Abbey in 2004, 39 years later.



Pastures Green

Pastures green, poppy fields,

graves for soldiers fallen.

A wooden cross marks a resting place,

a thousand miles from loved ones.

Rusted wire, silent guns,

trenches torn and broken.

A helmet rests on a rifle butt,

the tools of war unspoken.

Anzac Days, colours blaze,

their battle honours borne on.

Old men march and a bugle plays,

in memory of the fallen.

- Mike Subritzky, 1965

 


With love,

Flo family x