What is ANZAC day you might ask?
Well… after WWII, ANZAC (or Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day was declared a national public holiday for Australia and New Zealand in remembrance of the more than 60,000 combine troops who lost their lives during WWI and WWII.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Here in New York City, the Australian and the New Zealand Consulates-General will be hosting two events:
April, 25th (5:30 AM) – Dawn Service at the Vietnam Veterans Plaza
April, 26th (10:30 AM) – Commemorative Service at the ANZAC Memorial Garden, Rockefeller Center
Details for both NYC events (PDF).
What we’re doing…
Bluestone Lane FiDi (30 Broad St) will be opening at 6:30 AM on Saturday, April 25th, were we will be offering ANZAC Biscuits, Lamingtons long side other Aussie classics. It is only a 5-minute walk from Vietnam Veterans Plaza where the Dawn Service is being held.
Our West Village Collective Café opens at 8:30 AM on the 25th were we will be hosting an ANZAC Day commemoration with a “Raise a Glass” campaign. The Cafe will be selling red poppies to raise money towards Mates4Mates charity, a not-for- profit which provides support for ex Australian Defence Force members and their families. With every beer brought over the weekend (25th & 26th April), Bluestone Lane will donate $1 to the Veteran Welfare Community to show our support to our Mates.
For more history visit the ANZAC Day wikipedia. More info about how Rockefeller Center came to have an ANZAC Memorial Garden.
