Defining Event for Australia

90 years ago today, a very young nation sent its men onto an obscure beach in another new country. Australia’s (and NZ’s) soldiers stormed the wrong beach on Gallipoli Peninsula. At the behest of Britain’s High Command, on the idea of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Churchill; soldiers from multiple nations were attempting to take control of a bottleneck of control to the Black Sea and Russia. Turkey, also on the cusp of becoming a nation, defended and defeated the invaders.

It is paradoxical that Australia considers a major defeat-of-arms as the official day of rememberance and national holiday �(rather than November 11th). This goes to the heart of Australia’s laconic nature to thumb its nose at convention in this manner. After the 8 months of battle, where many thousands of soldiers died for no strategic gain; they left the peninsula without casualty.

To those who gave their lives for future generations; either by never returning to their families or those who returned changed men – the debt is difficult to measure.

ricky does 80s

As you are probably aware, the music of the 80s touches me in a special way. I am also a fan of “The Office”

To hear that Ricky Gervais (Mr The Office) was in a little known New-wave band, Seona Dancing, well, that just made my Saturday!

The music is a classic. Evidently they charted 117 and 70 in 1982/1984 and were big in the Philippines.

With lyrics like:

You’re losing out, now /
You scowl and shout /
Irrational accusations as I turn my head /
Your threats and trials /
My craven smiles /
Revolts you in your torturous insecurities

One wonders why they didn’t become as big as U2 or INXS!