Dear Reader(Myself):
Sometimes knowledge, like Apples, whether encountered in a supermarket that appears as one is walking merrily along or as low hanging fruit on a nearby tree, falls into our grasp effortlessly. Today was one of those infrequent occasions when enlightenment occurs without vigorous pursuit of any sought after nugget of information. When having a look at the Commonwealth's website in search of information about Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory, I came upon this interesting section of the site which had a trove of information about some of the truly epic and harrowing expeditions undertaken by different generations of European(and their Aussie descendant) explorers. Very worthwhile reading. Often times knowledge is obtained through the path of diligent and determined study. But not always. Sometimes that delicious apple of knowledge is accessible via the easy extension of one's figurative arms and the grasp of one's figurative hand. I savor these easy moments!
Here's the link
Cheers!
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/early-explorers
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
APPLE CHIP TIDBIT- ARMISTICE DAY/ANZAC CONTINUED: AUSTRALIAN SACRIFICE FOR THE CROWN 1914-1918
Dear Reader,
My last brief post was about the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 undertaken by the Australia New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC) task/expeditionary force. Although the valor that Australia's soldiers displayed during this campaign was an important moment in the commonwealth's conception of itself as a nation, it was only the first chapter in the history of Australia's involvement in World War One. The ANZAC's would participate in important battles on the war's western front at Bullecourt, Messines and Amiens(which was a decisive blow to the Central Powers and led to the end of the War in November 1918). Between the years of 1915-1918, Australia would offer over 300,000 service members up to the Crown for service in the Middle East and Europe. Considering that Australia's population at the time was slightly over 4,800,000, the contribution to the British war effort was quite considerable. 60,000 Australians were killed and over 150,000 were wounded in more than three years of fighting. More than 1 out of every 25 Australians alive at the time was a casualty of the war. When looking at the toll amongst young Australian men alone the casualty ratio is closer to 1 in 10. Staggering numbers. With Armistice Day around the corner, I thought this tragic bit yet important chapter in Australian history was worth another post. I found the human tragedy of the war and the suffering endured well encapsulated in a song written by Peter Bogle called, "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", in this instance performed by the Pogues.
1914-1918
Lest We Forget
My last brief post was about the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 undertaken by the Australia New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC) task/expeditionary force. Although the valor that Australia's soldiers displayed during this campaign was an important moment in the commonwealth's conception of itself as a nation, it was only the first chapter in the history of Australia's involvement in World War One. The ANZAC's would participate in important battles on the war's western front at Bullecourt, Messines and Amiens(which was a decisive blow to the Central Powers and led to the end of the War in November 1918). Between the years of 1915-1918, Australia would offer over 300,000 service members up to the Crown for service in the Middle East and Europe. Considering that Australia's population at the time was slightly over 4,800,000, the contribution to the British war effort was quite considerable. 60,000 Australians were killed and over 150,000 were wounded in more than three years of fighting. More than 1 out of every 25 Australians alive at the time was a casualty of the war. When looking at the toll amongst young Australian men alone the casualty ratio is closer to 1 in 10. Staggering numbers. With Armistice Day around the corner, I thought this tragic bit yet important chapter in Australian history was worth another post. I found the human tragedy of the war and the suffering endured well encapsulated in a song written by Peter Bogle called, "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", in this instance performed by the Pogues.
1914-1918
Lest We Forget
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