Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Sunday 26 April 2020

A very different Anzac Day Dawn Service 25 April 2020

"At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them."

25 April is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, when we gather at war memorials all over the world, and at Gallipoli itself, to remember our fallen from all wars. 

This year, due to the Covid 19 restrictions on gatherings, Anzac services and marches across the world were cancelled. Instead we were encouraged at dawn (6am) to stand with a candle at the end of our driveways, farm gates and balconies, in an act of personal tribute, remembrance and thankfulness. People did this all across Australia - the response was amazing. Covid 19 may have robbed us of our mass gatherings on Anzac Day but could not rob our united Aussie national heart. A very different Anzac Day, but no less poignant. Although for me I look forward to the traditional Dawn Service at the town war memorial next year. 

The first Anzac Day services were held in 1916. The only other time Anzac Day services and marches were cancelled was in 1942 during World War 2. 

My niece told me about their neighbour who suffers from PTSD and really struggles on Anzac Day  They invited him to stand at the end of the drive way with them, and told them later how much it meant to him and how it changed in a positive way his feelings about Anzac Day. I wonder if there were many more like him.

I have written about Anzac Day before and my great uncle Norman Clayden who was killed in the early days of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 and my husband's uncle Richard Ramsden who died in a Prisoner of War camp in Burma in 1943. 

You can read more about them, and other Anzac Day traditions on my old posts -


 Last year we visited the amazing "Field of Lights" in Albany - Anzac Day 2019 - and the field of lights

Installed along the Avenue of Honour on Mt Clarence in Albany on Western Australia's south coast. This art installation, created with 16,000 lights by Bruce Munro pays homage to the 41,000 troops who departed from Albany on their way to World War 1. For some Albany would be their last view of Australia.  It was a very moving experience to walk along this avenue to see the lights.


 What else has been happening this week? Here is my latest update of my Photo a Day Project.  We are still under social distancing rules, and I am still in my moon boot, but we did go out for a couple of coffee morning drives. 

Clockwise from top left - crafting with an egg carton, it's raining - the view from my kitchen window, playing with light sparkles on water, eco-print doodling, our Covid total last Monday (lacking inspiration), coffee morning at the beach, Anzac morning, and in the centre my Anzac Day wreath.


 In the centre there you can see the Anzac Day wreath I made from an egg carton, inspired by a friend and her girls. Easy-peezy. 


We sat near overlooking the beach while we drank our take away coffee. I am looking forward to going to walking on the beach again, this is as close as I could get. We are having the last burst of beautiful autumn weather.


And I have been playing with doodling with ink and marri bark paint over some of my botanical eco-print eucalypt leaf prints.


 And my music selection for this week - so beautiful - You've Got a Friend In Me - by Claire and Dad



Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. If you are from Australia or New Zealand, how did you remember Anzac Day this year? Perhaps you would like to share in your comments. 

I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

17 comments:

  1. A serious memorial day made even more real with the current world crisis.

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  2. Last year, I learned a lot about the horrific fighting of WWI, reading first-hand accounts. Shudder. That said, I find balance looking at the peace and strength in your leaves. Take care, Jill.

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  3. Your post is a great tribute to Anzac day and the ones who fell for freedom, Jill! Thank you for sharing it with All Seasons. This time brings us to creative ways, isn't it? Standing with a candle is a very personal involvement! Love love love the light display.
    Am smiling, no matter what happens in the world an artist like you needs to be creatively involved:) Have a lovely week, Jesh

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  4. Rembrance days are so important so we don't forget the good and bad from history. - Margy

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  5. Jill - sometimes the simpler "memorials" have a more significant impact. Perhaps people thought more deeply about the meaning of Anzac Day when its traditional trappings were taken away from them. Our Governor has initiated our phase one re-opening today, and it is interesting to watch people's reactions - they seem to want to stay home more NOW than when they were TOLD to stay home. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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    1. I actually think that perhaps more people participated this year, because it was so personal, and so heart felt in this time of crisis.

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  6. I enjoyed reading, thank you for sharing. Wonderful captures.

    Stay healthy.

    Happy MosaicMonday

    ...by the way I'm not longer at Wordpress, here is actually my Blog
    https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.com

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  7. Hello, Jill

    What a wonderful memorial post for your Anzac Day. The art installation and lights at night is a beautiful scene. Lovely tribute and post. Stay safe and healthy. Have a good day and great week ahead.

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  8. About all we are able to celebrate anymore is the glorious sunrise each day. The wreath is a grand idea and, indeed, it does look easy, pretty, too! Wishing you good health and a grand week!

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  9. I love your leaf art....it is truly beautiful! And thanks for sharing this memorial day. Take care and stay safe this week!

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  10. So many things have been canceled or rescheduled but life goes on, even if it is in a strange new way. Love the wreath and ink work.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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  11. LOVE the eucalyptus leaves!!!! You are such a good artist!

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  12. Even in the midst of this strange year, it is important to remember the sacrifices made for us.
    Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/04/loving-springtime.html

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  13. I like the Field of lights tribute. I hadn't heard of Anzac Day before.

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    1. it is a very important annual commemoration here in Australia and New Zealand, started from remembering the sacrifices of our troops on the Gallipoli Peninsular in WW1. Services are also held at Gallipoli and in France.

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  14. I admire the way NZ and AU remember their service men. These are wonderful photos. I love the story about your niece. You never know how much a small gesture can mean.

    Thanks for taking part at 'My Corner of the World' this week! It's good to see you.

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.