I Will Remember - Je Me souviendrai

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga, and previously was a national holiday in Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

VANCOUVER ISLAND ANZAC DAY was created in 2013 as one of the many days of Remembrance that HAMM hosts or participates in each year.  Offering Island residents of Anzac background or Australian and New Zealand heritage a way to continue to honour the Anzac here on the island has been the goal of HAMM to keep this tradition continuing.

Notice: 2019 VIAD has been postponed until 2025.  Recent developments in the planning for the 2024 VIAD have been stalled due to difficulties with financial sponsorships and volunteer staff shortages. It has been decided that until we can work out these challenges, it would be in everyone's best interest that we postpone planning an event for 2024 and try to return with a full program in 2025.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this might be for you and your family. Please revisit this page for further updates or like us on Facebook and keep up to date on a regular basis.  www.facebook.com/thealberniproject

Flag Protocol on Anzac Day.

The Australian Government encourages citizens to fly their national flag on 25 April ([the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in] 1915). Flags [should be] flown at half mast till noon, then at the peak for the remainder of the day.

New Zealand's national day for

commemorating those who have served

their country in times of war, and

the New Zealand Flag should be flown

at the top of the flagpole. However, at

places where commemorative services

are held, it is appropriate for the flag to

be lowered to half-mast for the duration

of a memorial service as a sign of respect.

SPECIAL STORY OF THE 2018 VIAD:

April 21 was the final day that the Hedger Medal was shown shown in Canada.  Directly after the ceremony it was flown to New Zealand where it was repatriated and presented to the descendants of the Anzac soldier, William F. Hedger in a special ceremony held 24 April at the Canadian High Commission in Wellington.  

UPDATE:  VISIT THIS PAGE TO READ OF THE CEREMONY IN NEW ZEALAND