Category Archives: New Zealand

Online ANZAC Day Services

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Although our ANZAC Day event on April 25th has been cancelled, there are other ways to participate in ceremonies in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate all the ANZACs who fought and died for our freedom. Remember that services on April 25th are in fact on April 24th for us here in Canada:

  1. standatdawn.com/home – RNZ Defence Force
  2. awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day – Australian War Memorial
  3. abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/anzac-day-2020/12132330 –  ABC Radio
  4. dva.gov.au/commemoration/personal-commemorations – mark the day in your own way with your family

And in case you’ve not called down under recently, the time difference for ANZAC Day is:

  • Sydney = 15 hours ahead … 5:30 am Sydney Apr 25 = 2:30 pm Winnipeg Apr 24
  • New Zealand = 17 hours ahead … 6:00 am Wellington Apr 25 = 1:00 pm Winnipeg Apr 24

Hopefully this will help you all participate in ANZAC Day this year.

Lest we forget.

Update on ANZAC Day 2020

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Although the DUCW’s ANZAC Day commemoration has been cancelled this year, we are compiling a list of opportunities to watch services online, and will post them in a new blog tomorrow.

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION 2020 – CANCELLATION MESSAGE

It is with deep regret to advise that our ANZAC Day service in Ottawa, scheduled for 9am on 25 April, has been cancelled. Organisers have also cancelled ANZAC Day services in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

It is with deep regret that we write to advise that our ANZAC Day service in Ottawa, scheduled for 9am on 25 April, has been cancelled. Organisers have also cancelled ANZAC Day services in Toronto and Vancouver.

We are as disappointed as we know you will be with this outcome, but given the COVID-19 pandemic and the advice of the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian public health authorities, it is the responsible course of action.

While we will not be able to gather together on 25 April, we encourage all Australians and New Zealanders, wherever you may be, to commemorate ANZAC Day in your own personal way.  Please take a moment to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the thousands of Australian and New Zealand men and women who serve or have served in wars, conflict and peace keeping operations. We especially ask you to think of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Public ANZAC Day services have also been cancelled in Australia and New Zealand.  But, the Australian War Memorial will be holding a private ceremony in Canberra at 5.30am on 25 April (AEST), 3.30pm on 24 April (EST), 12:30pm on 24 April (PDT).  The ceremony will be broadcast live by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online.  Please see more information on this here: www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day. The Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association, alongside the New Zealand Defence Force, will also be holding a virtual dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day, which will be broadcast by RNZ National, on the RNZ App, from 6am (NZST) on 25 April, 2pm on 24 April (EST), 11am on 24 April (PDT).  You may wish to watch include these ceremonies as part of your commemoration of ANZAC Day.

Our thoughts are with all Australians and New Zealanders in Canada, and our Canadian colleagues and friends, in these challenging and unprecedented times.   Please stay safe, stay informed by following the advice of public health authorities, stay connected with your friends and family, and please stay home.

Her Excellency Natasha Smith, Australian High Commissioner to Canada

His Excellency Martin Harvey, New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada

Winnipeg Fundraiser for the Australian Bushfires — We Are SOLD OUT!

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THANK YOU, Winnipeg, for your generous support of our bushfires fundraiser.

We are SOLD OUT, and tickets will NOT be available at the door.

If you would still like to help, we are accepting donations. Any amount is welcome, but donations of $20 or more will get a tax receipt from the Canadian Red Cross for monies sent to the Australian Red Cross Disaster and Relief Recovery Fund. To make a donation, contact Peter Debenham at 204-955-0393.

The devastating bushfires in Australia are continuing to take an almost unimaginable toll on that country. At least 34 people have died, livelihoods have been lost, countless native animals and livestock populations have been decimated, and millions of hectares of land have been burned beyond recognition. Continue reading →

Vegemite in Stonewall

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Charlie Powell and I are happy to confirm that you can now stock up on Vegemite from the Family Foods store in Stonewall.

Thanks to Glenda for letting us know when the Vegemite was back on the shelves.

Judging by the interest from members in getting their hands on a jar, or two, perhaps make a trip to Stonewall in the next little while. Of course, you can always phone the store first – (204) 467-5553 – to make sure they still have some in stock.

We are always on the lookout for – and often asked about – places that stock Vegemite, but other than Stonewall, there are no other places right now that we know of.

According to London Drugs, “We are sorry to inform you that the Kraft Vegemite has been pulled by CFIA, and we are not allowed to sell it in Canada, due to the ingredients listed in the product.”

This has been an ongoing comment for many years, in both Canada and the US, and when I periodically check with both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), I am told there is no problem bringing Vegemite into either country. Earlier this year, CFIA confirmed by email that the product has not in fact been pulled by them or anyone else.

However, the rumour persists, so, I am going to try again to get a definitive answer and will keep you posted when I get a response.

In the meantime, get yourselves – or get someone on your behalf – to Stonewall and stock up while the jars are on the shelves.

Enjoy!