What a day to end the 2013 Spirit of ANZAC Tour!

What a day to end the 2013 Spirit of ANZAC Tour! Another buffet breakfast made congratulations necessary for Jasmine who has successfully eaten 26 croissants over the past five days. What an achievement! Our first stop in Barendrecht was the town hall, where we were greeted by the Mayor of Barendrecht and the Deputy Ambassador, Sean Sigh of Australia. We were deeply moved when the pupils of Rehoboth performed “Advance Australia Fair”, not only singing but playing an assortment of instruments; from keyboards to the French Horn. It was special to be able to sing alongside them and witness the result of their hard work learning the anthem.

An amazing honour to sit in the Barendrecht Council chambers

 After this we were given a PowerPoint presentation about the reason for our trip, the courage and sacrifice of the late Warrant Officer, Jack Dawson Green. Born in Camberwell, Victoria, in 1923, Jack ran away from home to join the air force at age 15. His parents eventually found him, telling him he could join the air force, when he was 18. Jack was loved not only by his family, but also by his fellow comrades. He was killed on the 17^th of May 1945, after he detoured from his fellow planes to attack an unseen German plane. Unfortunately, a second German plane was camouflaged behind trees, causing his death. Jack’s sacrifice continues to be remembered, commemorated and honored by the students of Rehoboth who tend to his grave, and the community of Barendrecht. We were privileged to visit Jack’s grave with his niece Margaret, where Minister Delahunty, Laura and Cameron laid a wreath. We had a minutes silence to reflect on Jack’s bravery.

A big bunch of beautiful kids! Dutch AND Australian.

Our next stop Rehoboth school, where we were thrilled to be greeted with enthusiasm by the year 8 students, who made a guard of honor and clapped as we entered the building. Both Australian and Dutch students were excited when we had the chance to converse and help them later improve their English. We were impressed by their command of the English language, especially one 12 year old Dutch boy who also had a strong grasp on Aussie humor. When asked what his favourite animal was, he said “a monkey.” When asked if he had a pet he also replied “a monkey.” He finished this sentence with “…it’s my brother!” We eagerly exchanged Australiana souvenirs and email addresses with these young gems.

Laura and some of her new Dutch friends

 

The next event was particularly special for Jack’s niece Margaret, when the school unveiled a sign with Jack’s name on it. This is another symbol of Barendrecht’s refusal to forget Jack’s sacrifice.

David Koch, Minister Delahunty, Margaret and
UN veteran of the Balkans, Dominic Hoogsteder,
during the ceremony

 

Margaret overcome at the naming of the school
playground for her Uncle Jack

 



Our veterans paying respect to a fallen veteran,
Jack Dawson Green

After lunch we visited the memorial for Jack near the crash site at Blaaksedijk. This memorial and nearby street sign further represents this community’s willingness to uphold Jack’s legacy. We laid wreaths, took a minutes silence to remember Jack, heard a poem from a local school girl as well as hearing from Dominic Hoogsteder, an airman himself. It was very to moving to watch the dedication of this town to one of our own boys. One of the things we have reflected on as a group throughout the trip is how hard it was for families to cope with the loss of a loved one when they were buried so far away from home. To see the level of commitment that this town so far away from home has to a Victorian boy is truly inspiring. The most special part of the ceremony was the fly-past of two NA AT6 Harvards of the Historic Flight RNLAF . These two planes retraced the route that Jack flew on that fateful day in 1945.

When the commemorations ended we headed to OorlogsVeerzets Museum in Rotterdam which enhanced our World War II knowledge. As our journey has focused on Australia’s involvement in WWI, it was interesting to delve into WWII.

Kate some two of the clever
Rehoboth students

Our day was ended by a fun final dinner at the ‘De Oude Maas’ pancake house in Barendrecht. (You know you’re on holidays when you get pancakes for breakfast and dinner!) The bus ride home involved singing, back seat dancing and a lot of laughs. Now it’s time to begin the fruitless task of cramming our trip souvenirs into our cases and questioning whether three Turkish Fez hats from the Grand Bazaar were really necessary…

 

The amazing, wonderful and delightfully witty Hans Onderwater
holding court at Rehoboth School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s with sadness that I begin to sign off this blog entry. What an amazing past two weeks it has been. The knowledge we have acquired throughout the journey has not only helped us piece together Australia’s war history, but also to see the personal side of war which a history text book cannot fully divulge. To stand at the grave of an 18 year old who laid down his life for his friends has been both moving an emotional. The bravery displayed by our soldiers has made us proud to be Australian and honored to be able to commemorate such courage. It has also helped to gain a greater perspective of war. From the Turkish memorial at Gallipoli to the German cemetery we visited yesterday, we’ve realized that their mothers grieved in the same way our Aussie mothers did.

The rear plane is a "Wirraway" in which Jack would have trained.
These planes are piloted by airmen, including a retired Air
Commodore, paying respect to a fellow airman.

The whole group would like to thank all the brilliant adults who have accompanied us on this journey. Ben and Belinda, our fantastic teacher chaperones, Tric our amazing tour leader, Bruce our amazingly corny historian (jokes-we love you Bruce! You made the trip!) Anne and Michelle, our wonderful veterans, David, our welcoming parliamentary representative and his wife Jan, as well as Minister Delahunty, his wife Judie and his Chief of Staff, Fiona.

 signing off, Bayley, Tegan, Jasmine, Sarah, Nathan, Cameron, Whitney, Luke, Laura and Kate J


Note from Tric: on our way home now, see you at Tulla!

Day 11 - Langemarck, Flanders Fields and arriving in the Netherlands - by Jasmine

We all woke up feeling sick after eating waaay too many Belgian Chocolates yesterday, however this didn’t stop us from going all out at the buffet breakfast we have all gotten very used to… (hint hint Mum).

We started off today’s adventures with something very different – a German cemetery. Walking into ‘Langemarck’, we had to enter through a tunnel which played the sound of war heavily in our ears. The dark, somber, defeated mood of this cemetery was something we had not yet experienced on this trip from mainly visiting Commonwealth cemeteries. As we entered the actual cemetery, the first thing we could see was a mass grave. Over 24,000 bodies buried there, was something just so difficult to comprehend… The contrasts between our Commonwealth white headstones, one for each individual soldier, to these German black headstones, some with up to 10 men in one grave, just sent a shiver down our spines. The opportunity to be in a place of the so called ‘enemy’ was an image that will forever be etched in our minds for sure.

 

We then moved onto Menin Road South Military Cemetery where I was to make my Adopt-A-Digger Commemoration. This was an eventful commemoration, as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was resurfacing the whole Cemetery so it was practically a field of mud around the mens’ tombstones. Due to the weather being freezing, and the rain from last night, the conditions were not fantastic! However, as good ANZACs, we all did our best by making the speech for my digger at the front of the Cemetery, then a couple of us brave ones went to my digger, Lieutenant Leonard George Prentice Errey’s grave to place a poppy for him and his family. This commemoration is something that made this whole experience so personal. Even though the Errey family is not my family, I felt as though it was my duty to go and visit this grave no matter how bad the circumstances were. This whole concept of ‘Adopting a Digger’ is something that I will never forget, as many of us wish we could do it for every Australian that fell throughout wartime. Also, having the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, Hugh Delahunty, present at my commemoration was  again something that was truly special.

 

We then made our way to Tyne Cot Cemetery which was the largest Commonwealth cemetery. Walking into this area became very confronting as a voice read out the names of the men who were buried there. Hearing ‘age 18’ and hearing the names of these men called out in a peaceful, yet haunting voice, was touching. We came to this place of resting and heard the story of a Victoria Cross winner, and saw the original German blockhouses from the Great War which are now incorporated into the Cemetery.

 

With Bruce changing the itinerary for the 50^th time, we made our way to Polygon Wood where we were informed we were to meet the Governor of Victoria and the President of the RSL!! We got taken cross country through the woods (by Bruce of course) and we heard some stories, and saw some pictures from the men who were part of these battles at Polygon Wood. Heading back to the 5^th Division Memorial we met the Governor Alex Chernov, who was a little late due to being escorted by a tractor -haha!  This experience was amazing, as many of us never thought we would use the words ‘Your Excellency’, I have to admit we felt very honored J

 

Due to this action packed morning we had to head off after some group photos with our guests, where we got into formation in under 30 seconds (yes we have had so many group photos that it’s starting to become a strange habit). We travelled back to the city of Ypres to the ‘In Flander’s Fields Museum’. This was an awesome experience, even if we only had an hour there. Our interactive bracelets may have been the excitement for most, however the information and artifacts, along with the interactive displays were so interesting and really summed up what we had been learning about the Western Front over the past few days!

Off to another amazing lunch we went, and sitting down after a very, very jam packed morning, was such a relief! Many laughs were shared over the meal, and after getting teased by everyone telling me that there was meat in my soup, we made our way to NEVERLAND!!!!!!

Not really, we made our way to The Netherlands!! It may not have been as exciting as Peter Pan turning up at our windows, but the bus trip was always a joy, with majority sleeping or journaling. Stopping for a break was another experience as we got a ticket to go into the toilets through like beam gates!! The strange experiences we have had….

Crossing another European border between countries, we found ourselves in the 4^th country of this trip!! Wow!! Arriving at Van Der Valk Hotel we all were gobsmaccked at how massive and exciting the hotel was, we were addressed by our new tour guide, Hans (sorry Bruce you’ve been replaced) and the Mayor of Barendrecht. Dinner was fantastic once again, besides Kate’s shoelaces being mysteriously tied together, my vegetarian meal containing fish for the second time...

Now we are off to bed, as there is a very action packed day planned for us by the Barendrecht community. We are all very tired, very excited still, and we all so very much do not want to come home (sorry parents).

This may not make sense as my eyes are continuously closing, but time for a good night’s sleep!!

P.S we are having the times of our lives!!!!!!!

Bye bye for now :p

Love Jasmine Davis

 

To link to the Governor's website to see his report of the visit go to

 

Day 10 - Fromelles, Vimy Ridge and Ypres

Dear all, no kids blogging today.
We've had a wonderful day at Fromelles seeing the Cobbers Statue, hearing Ben's moving tribute to his family at VC Corner, all accompanied by a fine misting rain. Vimy Ridge made us feel a kinship with the Canadians and the relatively new cemetery at Pheasant Wood gave us some serious food for thought about whether we should let our soldiers lie where they are, or recover their bodies for burial. A baguette and tart packed lunch on the bus saw us through to Ypres and the Menin Gate and an afternoon to chill out in the beautiful centre of this Flemish town, checking out Belgian chocolate. After dinner our veterans - Anne and Michelle -, Minister Delahunty, David, Tegan, Nathan and Jasmine laid two wreaths at Menin Gate as the Last Post Association played its moving, nightly tribute to those who fell to protect this area. Our group were invited and privileged to sing "Advance Australia Fair" to the assembled crowd to mark the end of the proceedings and were all on a high afterward.
So, no blog tonight but some photos of a memorable day to "keep the home fires burning".
Tric

 

Dday 9: The Somme - by Sarah

Wow, what an amazing day we have just had! After a tortuous 6am wakeup call we scoffed down our delicious French breakfast (you can’t beat Parisian croissants!!!) and boarded the bus for a two hour drive to our first port of call for the day, the Australian National Memorial in Villers Brettonneux. This tower had a ‘tough time of it’ in World War 2 and the bullet holes still litter the outside of the building. Nathan did his commemoration here as well.

Next stop was Adelaide Cemetery where we had two very touching “adopt a digger” commemorations by Tegan and Cameron.

We then drove to the Villers Brettonneux School and Museum. After World War 1, Villers Brettonneux was virtually destroyed and so thanks to Victorians students, they were able to fully fund the building of the new school. They were so grateful that they erected a museum and school hall in our honour! It even has a stuffed kangaroo! 

We were all STARVING by this stage so it was time for lunch! Our restaurant of choice was called Le Victoria (formally known as Le Kangaroo which ironically, does serve kangaroo) and had steak and chips. Full and satisfied we continued our tour of the Western Front to Le Hamel. Le Hamel was one of the few successful battles Australia fought in the Great War. It was led by Sir John Monash who planned the assault to take 90 minutes and in fact it took 93!

Next stop was the quaint Querrieux British Cemetery where I did my “adopt a digger” commemoration. It was for Leonard Jacks, who served in the Great War and who was my great, great uncle-so this was a very special place for me.

At Villers Bretonneux

We then drove to Theipval Memorial, which is the British Cemetery commemorating all the lost British soldiers who were never found. The memorial is like a gigantic tower and thousands upon thousands of names (over 72,000) are stenciled in the white marble. It is a very emotional place.

Next on the itinerary was the Newfoundland Memorial Park which is commemorating the Newfoundland Regiment who fought in WW1, most of whom died and were never found. The memorial itself is run by Canadian students and it still has the remnants of the ANZAC trench lines after almost a 100 years still zigzagging through the open plains.

We then made our way to the Poziere Memorial. Poziere was a two week struggle for the village Poziere and the surrounding ridge on which it stands. It was another horrendous battle, and though we won, the cost was enormous with huge casualty numbers on both sides. Even more than Gallipoli.  

Our last stop of the day was the windmill site where we met the Mayor of Pozieres. Through our tour guide Jackie, who translated everything he was telling us, we presented him with a book written by Bruce Scates. He then told us all about his plans for the windmill commemoration site which should be up by the 100^th anniversary of ANZAC Day. 



Tegan, Kate and Whitney with
Mayor Bernard De Lattres of Pozieres

Cold and tired we finally reached our hotel for the night in Amiens. We then freshened up and had dinner in the hotel restaurant. For dessert, Tric, in her very best French accent asked the waiter if he could please fetch us all a cup of hot chocolate. Instead the poor man came back with two bowls of warm melted chocolate!!

But despite everything our second full day in France has been a good one and has made us all eager to learn more. Bonsoir everybody!

Day 8: Paris - by Nathan

Our first day in Paris was a wonderful one with an initial temperature of around 5 degrees. Our first night in the Crowne Plaza Hotel was spent comfortably, with a 7:30 wakeup call and a breakfast buffet that trumped the efforts of Turkey. With a selection of typical French foods like baguettes and croissants (they come in chocolate too!) and other hot foods like egg and bacon.

 

Nonetheless, we were introduced to our new guide in France, Valerie, who sounded pronouncedly French (she even had that typical French laugh). We were taken to the Eiffel Tower, which amongst the low lying city was quite an eye full. Most buildings do not exceed 31 meters, thus the view even from the second story was exceptional. Even at 10:30 in the morning, this landmark was packed with tourists and we skipped the queue, to make it to the second floor – where another elevator awaited us with an even longer queue.

Clearly the epitome of the French horizon, the Eiffel Tower provided us with a panoramic view of the entire city (at this time coated by a layer of fog) and after the unsettling elevator rides back to the base of the tower, it was off to a quick drive around the city and a relaxing cruise on the river Seine. 

Due to the marathon being run through the city by 40,000 people many roads were blocked, causing unexpected detours. We passed many of the plazas, including the Plaza de Republique and the Notre Dame Church, which is 850 years old and the Luxembourg Gardens and Palace – built by Mary of Capri of the De Medici family (of Italian origins from Florence).

With the arrival on the Left Bank of the Seine river, we boarded the craft and proceeded to enjoy a cruise underneath Alexander III bridge and the many different angles of the Eiffel Tower. With the unrelenting cold winds, we photographed the many sights across the Right Bank of the river also. It was at this time that we were informed that we would in fact not be visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, but that of Sacre Cour (or Sacred Heart).

 

Over a quick lunch, a miracle occurred, when Kate managed to finish her meal BEFORE the remainder of the group – an unheard of event thus far in the trip. She also claimed that this restaurant was one and the same as one in the film Midnight in Paris.

 

After a mediocre lunch, it was on to Sacre Cour – where there were no shortages of crowds relaxing on the steps, street performers and illegal handbag salesmen. The Church itself was a place of silence, aside from the harmonious singing of the nuns. After viewing the church and the statue of Joan of Arc atop it, we continued on our journey to the Arc De Triomphe.

At the center of many roads, this landmark was built by Napoleon Bonaparte, before he was banished and the last King of France completed it – thus changing its purpose; no longer fully glorifying Napoleon himself. Beneath the structure was the eternal flame, burning above the body of a buried unknown French soldier after the Great War.

Nonetheless, albeit a cold one – our first full day in France and last in Paris began and ended well, from the Eiffel Tower to a wonderful last Parisian meal.

-          Nathan Di Teodoro.

Day 7: Goodbye Istanbul. Hello France! - by Bayley

Bayley at Topkapi

Today was a very happy but sad day.

The happy part being we all get to go to Paris!!

The sad part being we have to leave our tour guide, Bitsy, behind. We all agree that she is the best tour guide ever.

We all held her in high regard as she was the one who gave us, not only knowledge of Turkey, but also Wi-Fi so we can stay in contact with the world.

It was very hard to say goodbye and some of us even got a bit emotional (Tegan) but really we all wanted her to come with us.

But before the airport we did do other things. It all started with our usual wakeup call at 7:00am, buffet breakfast and some last minute final packing. We all gathered in the lobby at about 8 and then we walked to the Topkapi Palace which is where the Ottoman Sultans and their families lived.

 

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We saw all the jewels they wore, the robes, swords and more things that we wanted to steal and take home. There they also had the 4^th largest diamond in the world, it was very shiny. There were great views on the balcony overlooking the whole city. The rooms were amazing in the detail the craftsmen put into their work.

After a couple hours we walked back to our hotel, loaded our bags onto the bus and headed for the Spice Market. We were only given 35 minutes but it was all we needed, by the time we came out we all had at least bought one thing. By then our bartering skills had become pretty good (or at least mine had). Reluctantly, we got on our bus and headed off for the airport. When we got there we said our emotional goodbyes to Bitsy, went through the international terminal and boarded our plane.

Six hours or so later we found ourselves landing in France and found the weather a tad cold (a few of us were wearing shorts).

We landed at Orly International Airport and it was there that we were greeted by our tour guide, Christopher, and our warm cozy bus. From there we travelled into the heart of Paris getting our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

We ended up at a little restaurant in the middle of the city and had tea there. After some nice food and some laughs we left and came to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza. We then got our room keys and went straight off to our rooms to chill out and sleep, ready for another big day tomorrow.

P.S. our love for Bitsy was so strong that we all decided that we will petition to get her own statue in front of the MCG.

P.P.S. our first night without her and…… we have no Wi-Fi. We miss her already!

The intrepid Bitsy and Belinda, our master tour photographer

 

Day 6: The Grand Bazaar and Galata - by Whitney

Outside Hamdi

When the wake-up call was an hour earlier than usual, we all knew we were in for a full-packed, hectic and slightly stressful day. Cramming some last minute things into my suitcase, I raced down for a healthy breakfast- some cereal and a slice of chocolate cake.

After scoffing it down, we grabbed our Akubras and left the hotel. Bitzi power walked through the abnormally quiet streets, while we desperately tried to keep up. It wasn’t long before we were back on the bus setting ourselves up for a 6 ½ hour journey. 

 

Sarah looking out from the Galata Tower



We all stayed relatively awake, as we saw our last sights of Cannakkle and eventually Gallipoli. Yet, it wasn’t long before exhaustion got the better of us, many of us falling asleep within minutes.

Those who were awake reminisced about the last few days and laughed hysterically at Jasmine’s ‘quote book’, time flew and before we knew it, we were back in Istanbul. Before heading off to the Grand Bizarre we all took a toilet break- which turned out to be a nightmare. Not only did the toilets cost a whole 50 cents to get in but people were violently trying to push in line. It’s amazing nobody’s eyes were gouged out! Thankfully, we had Michelle (from the army!) with us and she soon sorted that fiasco out.

After regrouping and sufficiently ‘Dettoling’ our hands we went to a little restaurant for yet another gigantic lunch. We were all starved and hardly any food was left on the plates (this was justified because we needed our energy for the Grand Bazaar). As we gulped down the last of our soft drinks (essential for our sugar intake), we left the restaurant and regrouped for a briefing from Bitzi. After warnings, of pick-pockets, flashing money and being ripped off by salespeople, we were given 1 ½ hours to get all our shopping done.

As we stood outside Gate 1 (of 22 gates) we were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Grand Bizarre. Built in 1461 and containing over 3,000 shops, it was bound to be a very popular tourist destination. Hundreds of people swarmed the market place, traders shouted out their bargains and we just stood there, trying to work out where on earth to go.

An illuminating moment at the
Grand Bazaar

 

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before we got into the ‘hang of things’, and the bartering soon got the better of us. Deals were being struck left, right and center. Purchases ranged from small trinkets to elaborate lamps, nobody went without a great deal. As we displayed our bargains on the bus, we made our way to the Galata Tower. Built in 528 AD, it is the oldest tower in the world that's open to the public, with stunning views of the 7 temples in the 'old' part of town. We waited in line for over 20 minutes—but once we got the top, the view was definitely worth it. As we took in the breath-taking sights we could clearly distinguish between both the Asian and the European sides of Turkey. Views of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque made a picturesque background and coupled with the gorgeous Bosporus River, we truly could see why Turkey was so stunning.

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the HAMDi RESTORANT for our last dinner in Turkey. Needless to say, it was one of the best meals we ever had. Not only did Kate get her Turkish Bread (that she had been raving on about ever since the beginning of the trip), but we also had delicious kebabs and salads for mains, finishing off with a very traditional Baklava for dessert.  

As night set in, we made our way back onto the bus, where we begged Bitzi to come with us to France. The peer pressure soon resulted in her saying that she would be vacuum sealed, popped into our suitcase and be classed as Turkish wine. This statement caused us to be in hysterics up until we pulled into the Eresin Hotel, where we were greeted with friendly smiles and an assortment of beverages. :)

-Hanging out for another adventure, Whitney