⚪️🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣⚫️ NEW DIRECTION   Ed. No. 173 - ONYA DIGGERS

WHO WERE THE ANZACS?

✽ "...Tho' much is taken, much abides; 

And tho' we are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven; 

That which we are, we are;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

                                             

                                                                        - Alfred, Lord Tennyson from "ULYSSES"

Pictures in this commentary are from the 2026 ANZAC DAY march in Sydney. PICS: Neville Williams 

This 25 April found me circumnavigating most of the route of the ANZAC Day march. 

It’s long. 

I reflected on the only two other previous times visiting this annual March. Once when I was a kid and found it a wonderment with the waving Australian Flags, the old diggers and their proudly worn medals clinking amongst the cheers and applause of the crowds, the marching bands of all description and the earthy smell of horse manure filling one’s nostrils. 

Then, again I joined with other spectators when a young man charged with taking my niece along, just a small child, who was equally amazed by it all. 

I do remember the ‘scotchies’ back then on both occasions and was reminded of them again starkly when hitting the Parade route. Why does that overtly loud and unique sound of bagpipes, immaculate dressage and dangling regalia all moving in grand unison always bring tears to my eyes?

[ One of the earliest drawings (now long gone) I ever did was of a Scottish bagpiper 

standing firmly to attention on the Scottish moors with a castle in the background. 

 It all seemed familiar when first viewing this James Bond “Skyfall” moors sweeping vista. 

Who knows perhaps I was a Scotsman in a previous life? ]

YES THAT'S DANIEL CRAIG WITH THE ASTON MARTIN.

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Then there were the brave banners held aloft swaying in the crisp warm glorious light of the day behind which came our marchers.

Having had a background in exhibitions and display management and design my attention is conditionally drawn to the organisation of such spectacles and those who are their participants.

They are their own breed. Looking closely at those participating what can be seen is their selflessness. They are in a class of their own. Their faces, body language and the interaction between themselves all spoke of people who are prepared to play as a team. The young and old alike. They had a grace and a candour that you find in people who understand their size and place in the bigger picture. No centres of attention here. Just all part of the parade of life. They all know at least something about the subject of sacrifice. 

Interesting too to get to the source point where everyone assembles before joining in the Parade. I could count three entry points for participating groups directed by Marshalls who expertly wove bands and marchers together in turn so that each of the marching bands would not interrupt sound wise the other. 

Marvellous precision. But they’ve been doing this for years.

 
Then when arriving at William Street organisers had constructed a double pen situation on both sides of the road to gather small groups of spectators until there was a brief break in the march enabling a quick movement of those wanting to cross the Elizabeth Street parade route. Expertly guided and with the co-operative patience and participation of the crowd it all worked like clockwork.

The numbers seemed to have dwindled 
(both spectators and marchers) considerably from 40/65 years ago but there still were high spirits floating in the air of appreciation for those who put their lives on the line. 

Certainly a very profound thing to do.

Applause well and truly deserved 

to anyone who does like. - Neville Williams

__________________________

DAME JUDI DENCH

✽ The Tennyson quote appearing in the header of this commentary piece 

was more recently spoken by Dame Judi Dench playing 'M' 

from the James Bond film “SKYFALL” (2012) . Here is the excerpt. watch

Notably this movie clip gives voice to exampling 

the kind of uncertain world in which we now live! 

________________________

Celebrate life!

⚪️🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣⚫️

Sunshine is on the horizon.

Coming February 2027

[ A SAFE HARBOUR AMONGST THE NOISE & BUSYNESS ]