On April 25 Australians will pause to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing and those who have given their lives in the defence of their country.
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The Anzac Day tradition began as a solemn day of remembrance for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli in 1915. But over the last 100 years Anzac Day has also become a time to remember Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Observed on April 25 each year, the day itself is a public holiday, with no additional holiday given when Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
Western Australia is an exception, with a replacement holiday gazetted for Monday, April 27 this year.
Given the special significance of this year’s Anzac Day, together with the fact it falls on a Saturday, there have been calls for a public holiday on Monday, April 27.
Despite being popular with the community, the proposal does not have the support of the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch or the Bathurst Business Chamber.
The Bathurst RSL Sub Branch discussed the issue of an extra public holiday last Monday night at both its committee and general meetings.
“The Sub Branch committee and the general meeting of the Sub Branch discussed the matter and made a unanimous decision that Anzac Day should not be celebrated on Monday, April 27,” Bathurst RSL Sub Branch secretary Les Anderson said.
“It is very important that Anzac Day is commemorated on the day it falls – it has always been that way and we don’t see a reason to change.
“And I feel it would lose some significance if it was celebrated on the Monday.”
Bathurst Business Chamber president Stacey Whittaker agrees.
“Anzac Day is Anzac Day,” she said.
“It is a solemn day that should be respected and celebrated on the day it falls.
“I don’t think an additional holiday the following Monday is necessary, it would lead to the whole point of Anzac Day being lost because, I am certain, people would take the opportunity to make it a long weekend.
“A public holiday just inspires people to have a long weekend, not necessarily celebrate the events.
“To be honest, I attend the dawn service each year and it is the same group of people there. Unfortunately, there are no new faces.
“But April 25 has history and importance and it should remain as a stand-alone day of remembrance and celebration.”
