John Allison/Monkhouse Funeral Directors

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

Anzac Day:
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.  The 25th of April is arguably Australia’s most important national day.

Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the soldiers who fought in those forces became known as ANZACs and are very proud to bear that name.

In 1916 the date April 25th was officially named Anzac Day and was marked by a variety of services and ceremonies throughout Australia.  In London, England over two thousand Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets.

Anzac Day became established as a national day of commemoration during the 1920s where we remembered the 60,000 Australians who died in the war.  During the 1930s dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, two-up games and reunions became an integral part of the Anzac Day culture.  Over the years, Anzac Day has come to include all Australian soldiers killed in military operations where Australia has had an involvement.

Every year on April 25 commemorative services are held at dawn across Australia.  This is the time of the original landing.  During the day, ex-servicemen and women join in marches throughout the country, attend commemorative ceremonies held at war memorials and all Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.

John Allison/Monkhouse is proud to be able to support the local Returned Servicemen and Women by attending the local Anzac Day Services, handing out rosemary sprigs and laying a wreath in remembrance of those we have lost in wars.

Remembrance Day:
The 11th November was originally known as Armistice Day.  It is a day set aside to remember all those who have died for Australia in wars and conflicts.  It is now known as Remembrance Day.  The Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day after the end of the Second World War.  Initially Armistice Day was intended to commemorate those lost in the First World War and it was deemed no longer appropriate as it now honoured all those lost in conflict.

Commemorative ceremonies, such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, share many customs and traditions. The central element of Remembrance Day ceremonies is the one minute's silence.

Traditionally we have laid flowers on graves and memorials in remembrance of the dead.  Rosemary, for remembrance, is popular on Anzac Day and poppies have come to be associated with Remembrance Day.  Nowadays poppies are also popular in wreaths on Anzac Day.

Rosemary is a symbol of both devotion and remembrance in ancient history and this is possibly why it is now seen as an integral part of both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.  As Rosemary is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula it holds particular significance for Australians.

Many John Allison/Monkhouse staff, representing the company, attend their local Remembrance Day services with a great deal of pride and the company supplies rosemary sprigs which are handed out to all attending. 

Both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day are commemorative days
that are very important to most Australians and
John Allison/Monkhouse feel very strongly
about their commitment to both of these very significant days.