The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.
Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later.
Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the birth of the ANZAC legend and its lasting impact on national memory.
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"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (1971) written and performed by Eric Bogle.
This modern folk ballad reflects on the devastating human cost of war, particularly the Gallipoli campaign, through the eyes of a wounded Australian veteran. Written by Scottish-born Australian singer-songwriter Eric Bogle (b. 1944), the song became a poignant anti-war anthem, contrasting sharply with earlier patriotic tunes. It has been widely covered and remains a powerful meditation on memory, sacrifice, and the price of national mythmaking.
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