KANGAROO GROUND WAR MEMORIAL

Today is Anzac Day, which is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. It falls on the 25th of April each year, and this day was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula.

We watched the commemorative service on TV and then went out later in the day for a drive. We finally ended up at Kangaroo Ground, a small township 26 km north-east from Melbourne's Central Business District. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2011 Census, Kangaroo Ground had a population of 1,015.

Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park is a war memorial occupying Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground, the tallest hill for many kilometres around. Its main feature is the 12-metre Tower of Remembrance, opened in 1926. Tall conifers surround the tower, hiding it almost completely; however, from the viewing platform at the top of the tower, which is open to the public and accessible by steep internal stairs, panoramic views are available over the treetops. During summer, the tower is used for fire spotting. A lone memorial wreath was enough to commemorate the fallen at this location.

This post is part of the Signs, Signs Thursday meme,
and also part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.