As Australia commemorates the centenary anniversary of ANZAC day, government and business owners are doing their best to reinforce the true meaning of ANZAC Day… How? By taking away the public holiday.
“What? It’s my right to have a day off work and give thanks to the men and women that served our country and relax in their honour!” I hear you saying. But the Victorian government has declared that Victorians will not receive an additional day off after or before the 25th, which falls on a Saturday.
According to The Age, people like business owners are supportive of the change. They reported that a spokeswoman for Small Business Minister, Russell Northe said, “The purpose of Anzac Day is to respect, commemorate and remember the brave soldiers who sacrificed so much for our freedoms,”
“It is not about getting a day off and taking for granted the liberties our soldiers fought so bravely to protect.”
“Anzac Day trading restrictions apply no matter which day Anzac Day falls, as a mark of respect and to commemorate those who served and those who have fallen.”
The only state to receive an additional public holiday day next year is Western Australia who will have the day off on Monday 27 April.
Every year the meaning of ANZAC day brings much debate. What does it really mean? Do our younger generations even understand the meaning? Do people appreciate what servicemen and women before us have done?
So by taking away the additional public holidays and our favourite long weekend, could this be the first step to restoring the true meaning of ANZAC day?
Have your say today and tell us what you think… Should the ANZAC Day long weekend be removed? Will it help to teach us what ANZAC Day truly means? Will this interrupt your plans for the weekend next year? Share your thoughts in the comments below…