ANZAC

In celebration of ANZAC Day I thought I would share with you some of my favourite New Zealand and Australian items from our collection. I'd never really thought about how many of my favourite books are written by authors from this part of the world. Thankfully my school years introduced me to some really great books that I still treasure today.

To the Is-Land - Janet Frame (NZ) and The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (AUS)

To The Is-Land is another book that I was assigned to read in school and I really liked it. I hadn't really read anything like it at the time and I found Janet Frame completely fascinating. As I've said in previous blogs The Book Thief is my absolute favourite book so it was impossible not include it in this blog. Just read it, if you don't like it there is something wrong with you.

The Castle (AUS) and Boy (NZ)

Two of the most quotable, underrated movies to ever exist and both iconic to their home countries. They're equal parts funny and touching.

The Alex Quartet - Tessa Duder (NZ) and Tomorrow When The War Began - John Marsden (AUS)

These books had a massive impact on my early teen years and I re-read them fairly regularly. The first Alex book was assigned to me by my 4th form English teacher and I loved it so much I obsessively read the entire series in a week. I have read the Tomorrow series almost every year since I was 13 years old and I've spent most of that time wishing I was Ellie Linton. John Marsden is coming to the Auckland Writers Festival next month and I'm so excited to go and hear him speak and hopefully get him to sign my ratty old copy of Tomorrow When the War Began.

Outrageous Fortune (NZ) and Summer Heights High (AUS)

The Summer Heights High creator Chris Lilley is an absolute genius so it was hard to pick which of his TV series is my favourite. In Summer Heights High he plays 3 different characters all equally as cringe worthy and hilarious as the next: drama teacher Mr G, private school  girl exchange student Ja'mie King and a 13 year old Togan boy Jonah Takalua. I'm sure you've all heard of Outrageous Fortune by now, it's as great as they say.

I hope you all have a lovely ANZAC day.

ANZAC DAY Blog Challenge

Auckland Libraries ANZAC Day blog challenge is on again for 2012. Do you have a story to share about an ANZAC? We'd like to hear about not only their sacrifice, but the way it shaped their family history. Maybe you want to blog from the perspective of those that were left behind? Last year this challenge was very successful. As Seonaid said in her recent Kintalk blog post, "Not all the stories were of people who died. Sacrifice comes in all forms. Not all of the stories were of family members." so the field is wide open for you to share your stories.

All the details of what's involved and how to get started are on the Kintalk blog including links to some of the resources in Auckland Libraries.

And to help you along, here are the links to some of the stories told last year.

Top Ten for Thursday

As tomorrow is a holiday, there is no Top Five for Friday. Which led me to ponder Thursday. Should it be two or ten? Somehow two just didn't seem to cut it (and I wouldn't have been able to decide which two anyway). So in commemoration of Anzac Day on Monday, here is our Top Ten for Thursday.

For Children

1. Lest we Forget Feana Tu'akoi, illustrated by Elspeth Alix Batt. This recently released picture book gives a Kiwi perspective on the wars New Zealanders have fought on, so far from home. Told from the point of view of a young boy who thinks war is stupid, he sits down for afternoon tea with three generations of his family and then decides whether or not he should go to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. A wonderful addition to the shelves and well received as a read aloud today during my School Holiday Programme by both children and adults.


2. Anzac Day Parade Glenda Kane & Lisa Allen. Fewer words but slightly more sophisticated in meaning is the next Kiwi Anzac book. Meanings are implied rather than explicit which means this is a great picture book to share with your family. The illustrations and ghosting are superb.


3. The Pillow War Matt Novak. The publisher's blurb calls this tale "whimsical" and on one level it is a very light-hearted look at a pillow fight between Millie and Fred which spreads until the whole world is involved. On another level it can be used to introduce the concept of arguments, fighting and war and how easily they spread outside the boundaries of a single country. Another picture book that went down well at my storytime for pre-schoolers earlier this week.


4. Should we forget? : the significance of Anzac Day : letters to James Jim Rolfe. I haven't read this book but it sounds intriguing. "Letter from a grandfather to a grandson explain the significance Anzac Day has for so many New Zealanders and Australians" With chapters (letters) describing the significance of the red poppy, the last post and the ode, many people will find this interesting.


5. I dream of peace: Images of war by children of former Yugoslavia created by UNICEF. It's not about Anzac Day, Kiwis (or even Australians). And although it is catalogued as Children's Non-fiction and I have included it in this section, I would also highly recommend it to adults. The images are startlingly simple and the words incredibly powerful as children between 8 and 15 describe what war means to them. A big part of Anzac Day for me personally is the hope for peace and that there will no longer be a need for Kiwis to go to war. This book really reinforces that message.

For Adults

1. The long white cloud : Gallipoli Buket Uzuner ; translated by Pelin Thornhill Ariner. One of the fabulous things about now being part of the biggest library in Australasia is being able to find and tell you about treasures that are available to us now. This 2004 Turkish title which has been translated into English looks like one of them. I haven't read it but it may join others on my TBR list. The summary in our catalogue reads Gallipoli 2000: A young New-Zealender woman coming to Gallipoli to find the lost grave of the great-grandfather who died in the Battle of Gallipoli, and the stunning eighty-five year old secret of a Turkish granny strolling in the Gallipoli National Park with her cane... Gallipoli 1915: The terrifying lesson Ottoman Lieutenant Ali Osman bey and ANZAC (Australian and New Zealander Army Corps) Private Alistair John Taylor teach mankind together... The great test for mankind that no nation is yet ready to include in history books: Could the same man be a hero in two conflicting countries in the same war? Or, is history a text that can be read linearly? Besides, should history be re-written?


2. 25 April 1915 : the day the Anzac legend was born David W. Cameron. What happened on April 25th to make Anzac Day such a part of our history. This 2007 book is one of many which describes the events of the day, what led to it and it's aftermath.


3. Gallipoli : the battlefield guide / Mat McLachlan. Like many Kiwis, one day I would like to visit Gallipoli and really get a sense fo the place that is such a big part of our history. As the catalogue summary for this book says More Australians and New Zealanders visit Gallipoli every year, and the numbers are increasing each year as the centenary of the landing approaches in 2015. This practical guide book enables them plan their trip, work out what to see and in what order, and gives the historical background to the major battles.


4. Traitor Stephen Daisley. This novel came out last year and I haven't read it yet either. The summary from the Publisher's website indicates that it addresses in fiction how one man balances his pasifist nature with his pride in his country. Opening on the battlefields of Gallipoli, Traitor follows the story of young New Zealand soldier, David, as he is forced to confront the clash of love for his fellow man versus love for his country. Sent home in disgrace, broken and made anew, David attempts to find peace in the secluded hills of his homeland.


5. Peter Fitzsimons. Whatever I think of Peter Fitzsimons in rugby terms (he played for the Wallabies - I am an All Black fan. What can I say?), when it comes to well researched and written biographies and histories there are few better. His forthright manner comes through in his very readable non-fiction tomes. While he has not addressed Gallipoli specifically, many of his titles deal with periods and characters from our history at War. Nancy Wake, Kokoda and Tobruk have all been explored.

Have an awesome weekend everyone. May the Easter bunny be generous, Monday morning not be too chilly for those at Dawn parade and everyone be safe on the roads.

Trans-Tasman ANZAC Day Blog Challenge

Seonaid Lewis is a geneologist and researcher extraordinaire. She will be well known to family historians in the area with a regular column in the New Zealand Geneology magazine. She also scribes the Kintalk blog for the Central Auckland Research Centre (second floor of the central city library) and organises regular talks and presentations.

The latest promotion is a competition with friends across the Tasman. Seoniad picks up the story...

It started with Shelley from Twigs of Yore issuing a blog challenge for Australian researchers in celebration of Australia Day. Here at the Central Auckland Research Centre at Auckland Libraries, we loved the idea and thought that we could be just as successful with a blog challenge for Waitangi Day. We had loads of international response, with people blogging about their New Zealand early settler ancestor from as far away as UK and the US and as close as NZ and Australia!

This time, it is a joint challenge with our Digger mates from across the Ditch. Australians and New Zealanders know ANZAC Day – 25 April – as a national day of remembrance for Australian and New Zealanders who died at war. Do you have an Australian or New Zealander in your family tree who was killed in or served in military operations? We’d like to hear about not only their sacrifice, but the way their loss or experience shaped their family history.

To participate: - Write a blog post about an Australian or New Zealander serviceman or woman’s family, and the impact war had on their family history - Post a comment with the URL on the Auckland Research Centre’s Facebook page under discussions or on the relevant post on the Twigs of Yore blog. - Publish your post by 25 April 2011.

After Anzac Day, all submissions will be listed in a summary posting on Auckland Libraries’ Kintalk blog and also Twigs of Yore blog.

Just to get you started, recommended resources for New Zealand and Australian research, see the Auckland Libraries Digital Resources. Access great online resources such as:

Coming Home virtual exhibitionThe virtual exhibition consists of "albums" containing photos/images and documents. Virtual albums entitled "Gallipoli", "Lest We Forget", "New Zealand Maori Battalion", "Peace", "Postcards" and "Returned Services Association". Also has a portal for searching content nationwide from organizations such as libraries, archives, museums and galleries, including Auckland Libraries. Courtesy DigitalNZ.

Index Auckland and New Zealand Card Index For references to articles and other resources regarding WWI and WWII.

Manuscripts Online For diaries, letters, postcards and albums

And Papers Past

Within the library catalogue: Auckland Libraries Searching using WWI or WWII etc will return you wonderful results of holdings throughout the whole of Auckland Libraries, which you can narrow down by location by using the "select location" dropdown menu on the right of screen. For example, available in all three Research Centres:- Central, South (Manukau) and North-West (Waitakere) are gems such as:* New Zealand Expeditionary Force casualties, WWI. Books I to XIV, 15 Aug. 1914 to 6 Jan. 1919

and you’ll also find Australian resources in the Central Auckland Research Centre; for example:

* Book of remembrance of the University of Sydney in the Great War 1914-1918

* Index to news items and obituaries of WWI servicemen and women in the Tasmanian weekly magazines

For other sites, try looking at the Auckland War Memorial Museum ; the Australian War Memorial site and the National Archives of Australia, or look further using the resources listed on Cora Num’s website.

Lest We Forget

A couple of great new books have just arrived at the Library in time for Anzac Day.

Anzac Day Parade (Glenda Kane & Lisa Allen) is a Kiwi Picture Book. Simple and poignant text with sympathetic pencil sketches both tell and show the story of an old soldier and a young boy. "Did ya shoot them dead? asked the bright-eyed boy...No son, it was no thrill" gives plenty of potential to introduce the Anzac tale to the younger members of the family. The authors acknowledge the help of the RSA, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Crete veteran Noel Dromgool and his wife Peggy in the creation of the book.

Over 10,000 New Zealand horses went to war between 1914 and 1916. Only one ever returned home. The rest gave their lives in battle or had to be left behind when the War ended. Brave Bess and the ANZAC horses (Susan Brocker) is told through the eyes of Bess, a jet black mare who left with the first Kiwi soldiers in 1914, returned home in 1920 and died in happy retirement in 1934. A mixutre of fiction, fact and photographs this is a fantastic children's fiction book that would appeal to those who like war stories, and those who liked horses.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them

ANZAC day services

Silverdale

The Silverdale and Districts RSA extends a cordial invitation to all kindred clubs, associations and public, i.e. Silverdale and Manly Fire Brigade,Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Women’s Division, Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Sea Scouts and Cubs, Youth and Service organisations and local schools and colleges, to join them in their Anzac Day parade and church service.
A special invitation is extended to dependents of deceased veterans to march wearing the medals of their late family members.The parade and march past the Cenotaph is scheduled to commence at 11.00am at our Vipond Road property. The church service is to be held inside if the weather is inclement. Representatives of organisations wishing to take part in the parade, as well as persons wishing to lay wreaths, should contact the Secretary/Manager on telephone 09 424 9026. The Parade Commander will be Sqn. Ldr. G White, Retd. Food and refreshments will be provided for the veterans and their caregivers, Silverdale RSA members, parade participants and children.
NOTE: The RSA Clubrooms will remain closed from 10.15am until after the parade and church service are finished.

Silverdale War Memorial Park
Wreath-laying Service: 12.15pm

Remembrance Reserve, Orewa
Remembrance Service: 12.40pm

Upper Waiwera Cenotaph Service
This service will again be held at Upper Waiwera at 2.30pm. The Silverdale and Districts Returned Services Association extends awarm welcome to anyone wishing to attend. Poppy Collection day is Friday, 23 April 2010; please support us on this day.

Helensville
A cordial invitation is extended to all residents to attend a Citizens’Commemorative Service to be held in the War Memorial Hall, Commercial Road, Helensville at 11.00am on Sunday, 25 April 2010.The parade will assemble at 10.45am outside the former Rodney District Council office on the corner of Commercial Road and Rata Street. Wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial Hall prior to the service.

Parakai
Dawn Parade at 6.00am at the Cenotaph in Parakai Domain followed by a short service at the Servicemans’ Cemetary in Helensville.

Riverhead
A memorial parade will take place at the Riverhead War Memorial Park gates at 9.00am Sunday, 25 April 2010. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.

Waimauku
Waimauku RSA will hold a service at the Memorial Hall, Waimauku at 11.00am, Sunday, 25 April 2010. A march back to the RSA will be at 11.30am for a wreath laying ceremony. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.

Warkworth
Members of local organisations and residents of the Warkworth area are invited to attend the Memorial Services on Anzac Day,Sunday, 25 April 2010.
Dawn Parade:A service will take place at 6.00am at the War Memorial Church Hill, Warkworth. Any person or organisation wishing to lay a wreath is invited to do so.
A Civic Service and Parade:At 10.30am the Parade officials will meet the Officer in Charge of parade at Anglican Church.
Church Hill, Warkworth: At 10.35am Parade fall in – Anglican Church. At 10.40am Parade will march to War Memorial, Church Hill. At 10.45am Service at War Memorial. In the event of inclement weather, these events will be held in the arkworth Fire Station.

Wellsford
The ratepayers and residents of Wellsford and Districts are invited to attend the Anzac Day parade on Sunday, 25 April 2010 at 5.45am at the Wellsford Memorial Domain gates. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.

Leigh
The ratepayers and residents of Leigh and Districts are invited toattend the Anzac Day Ceremony at the Leigh Cemetery on Sunday, 25 April 2010 at 11.00am.

Kawau Island
Kawau Island Yacht Club 12pm

Anzac Day Services

Rodney Libraries will be closed tomorrow in honour of ANZAC Day.

There are a number of services around the district. More details available via the Rodney District Council website.

AUCKLAND CENTRAL

Dawn service at the Cenotaph, Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland Domain) at 6am. Assemble at the Cenotaph at 5.30am for veterans' parade's 5.45am departure. Citizens' service at Cenotaph, Auckland War Memorial Museum, at 11am. Assemble at 10.30am for veterans' parade for 10.45am departure.

HELENSVILLE

Dawn service at 6am (5.20am muster) at the Cenotaph in Parakai Domain, followed directly by a service at the Servicemen's Cemetery. Parade at 11am on Commercial Rd, Helensville, followed by service at RSA.

LEIGH

Service at 11am at the Leigh Cemetery.

RIVERHEAD

Memorial parade at 9am at the Riverhead War Memorial Park gates.

SILVERDALE / OREWA

Citizens' services: Silverdale RSA (11am), Silverdale Memorial Park (12.15pm), Remembrance Reserve Orewa (12.40pm) and Upper Waiwera Cenotaph (2.30pm).

WAIMAUKU

Citizens' service Waimauku War Memorial Hall, Station Rd (10.30am); parade back to Waimauku RSA (11.30am).

WARKWORTH

Dawn parade, fall-in 6.30am, Civic parade, fall-in 10am. Both next to the Band Rotunda, Church St.

WELLSFORD

Dawn service at Memorial Gates, Port Albert Rd, Wellsford (6am). Fall-in outside Wrightsons at Port Albert Rd, 5.45am.

Anzac Day Services in Rodney District

Silverdale and Districts Returned Services Association (Incorporated)

The Silverdale and Districts RSA extends a cordial invitation to all kindred clubs, associations and public, i.e. Silverdale and Manly Fire Brigade, Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Women’s Division, Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Sea Scouts and Cubs, Youth and Service organisations and local schools and colleges, to join them in their Anzac Day parade and church service. A special invitation is extended to dependents of deceased veterans to march wearing the medals of their late family members. The parade and march past the Cenotaph is scheduled to commence at 11.00am at our Vipond Road property. The church service is to be held inside if the weather is inclement. Would representatives of organisations wishing to take part in the parade, as well as persons wishing to lay wreaths, please contact the Secretary/Manager on telephone 09 424 9026. The Parade Commander will be Sqn. Ldr. G White, Ret’d. Food and refreshments will be provided for the veterans and their caregivers, Silverdale RSA members, parade participants and children. NOTE: The RSA Clubrooms will remain closed from 10.15am until after the parade and church service are finished.



Silverdale War Memorial Park

Wreath-laying Service: 12.15pm Remembrance Reserve, Orewa

Remembrance Service: 12.40pm Upper Waiwera Cenotaph Service. This service will again be held at Upper Waiwera at 2.30pm. The Association extends a warm welcome to anyone wishing to attend.



Helensville

A cordial invitation is extended to all residents to attend a Citizens’ Commemorative Service to be held in the War Memorial Hall, Commercial Road, Helensville at 11.00am on Friday, 25 April 2008. The parade will assemble at 10.45am outside the former Rodney District Council office on the corner of Commercial Road and Rata Street. Wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial Hall prior to the service.

Dawn Parade at 6.00am at the Cenotaph in Parakai Domain followed by a short service at the Servicemans Cemetary in Helensville.



Riverhead

Riverhead RSA will be having a wreath laying ceremony at the Riverhead War Memorial Park gates at 9.00am Friday, 25 April 2008. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.



Waimauku

Waimauku RSA will hold a service at the Memorial Hall, Waimauku at 11.00am, Friday, 25 April 2008. A march back to the RSA will be at 11.30am for a wreath laying ceremony. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.



Warkworth

Members of local organisations and residents of the Warkworth area are invited to attend the Memorial Services on Anzac Day, Friday, 25 April 2008.

Dawn Parade - assemble at the Anglican Church at 6.00am for a service at the War Memorial Church Hill, Warkworth. Any person or organisation wishing to lay a wreath is invited to do so.

A Civic Service and Parade, the programme for which is: at 10.30am the Parade officials will meet the Officer in Charge of parade at Anglican Church, Church Hill, Warkworth. At 10.35am Parade fall in - Anglican Church. At 10.40am Parade will march to War Memorial, Church Hill. At 10.45am Service at War Memorial. In the event of unfavourable weather, these events will be held in the RSA clubrooms.



Wellsford

The ratepayers and residents of Wellsford and Districts are invited to attend the Anzac Day parade which will be held on Friday, 25 April 2008 at 5.45am at the Wellsford Memorial Domain gates. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.



Leigh

The ratepayers and residents of Leigh and Districts are invited to attend the Anzac Day Ceremony to be held at the Leigh Cemetery on Friday, 25 April 2008 at 11.00am. Any person or group wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to do so.

We will remember them - ANZAC Day Friday 25 April 2008

Lest We Forget
Auckland Museum was built as a memorial to the 12,000 people from the Auckland province who died in the First and Second World wars. Each autumn the Museum remembers the great sacrifices made by these people, people who did their best for others — and for their children’s future. They have an extensive programme planned for the day which can be found on their website. No donation will be asked for on this day.

Illuminate ANZAC Day with Auckland Museum
April 22, 23 & 24 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Auckland Museum has secured the rights to project the only known film of the Gallipoli campaign onto the outside of its grand entrance. Heroes of Gallipoli will be shown for the three nights leading up to the ANZAC day commemorations.
Visitors are invited to watch the 20 minute film, which will play on continuous loop from 7.30pm to 10.00pm, from the steps of the cenotaph and then come inside the Museum to sign a digital book of remembrance, look up relatives war records on the Museums Cenotaph database and enjoy some light refreshments from the café.
Heroes of Gallipoli includes scenes of British, New Zealand and Australian troops. It was shot by Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, a famous English war correspondent. Oscar winning film director, Peter Jackson’s outstanding restoration has just been listed with the UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme.